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Full text of "Haereseo-machia, or, the mischiefe which heresies doe, and the means to prevent it. : Delivered in a sermon in Pauls, before the Right, Honourable, the Lord Maior, and the Aldermen of the famous citie of London, February the first, MDCXLV. ..."

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HiERESEO-MACHIA* 

The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe, 

AND 

The  means  to  prevent  it. 

Delivered  in  a  Sermon  mTatds,  before  the 
Right  Honourable,  the  Lord  Maior,  and 

the  Aldermen  of  the  famous  Citie  of 
London,  February  the  firft, 
M.  DC.  XLV. 

And  now  printed,  for  the  fatisfa&ion  of 
the  hearers,  and  others. 


By  James  Cranford,  Paftour  o/  Chri- 
ftopher  Le  Stocks^  London.  /. 


Athan.  ad  Sditar. 

Diligite  homines,  interficitc  errOres,  fine  fuperbia  cte 
veritate  prsefumite,  fine  faevitia  pro  veritate  con- 
tendite.  Aug.  cont.  Ut.  PetiL  lih.i.  cap.zp. 

Jude  3.  It  was  needfttll  for  mee  to  write  unto  you,  and  exhort 
jou%  that  yee  fhould  earneftlj  contend  for  the  faith  once 
delivered  t&  the  Saints. 

LONDON, 
Printed  by  James  Young  for  Charles  Green^  and  are  to  be 
fold  at  the  figne  of  the  Gun  in  Ivie-lane5 1 646? 


7 


J**  f 


■i  s? 
/  / 


i 


T  O 

THE  RIGHT  HONOURABLE 

THOMAS  ADAMS, 
Lord  Maior; 

THE  RIGHT  WORSHIPFULL, 
The  SHERIFFS- 

With  the  refidue  of  the 
A  L  D  E  R  M  EN 
Of  the  famous  Citie  of 
LONDON. 

Right  Honourable,  and  Right  WorfliipfulJj 

Heft  Meditations  were  in- 
tended onely  for  the  Pul- 
pit, but  arc  enforced  to 
the  Prefle ;  not  fo  much 
by  the  intreaties  of  friends, 
as  importunities  of  adverfaries.    I  print 

Az  (to 
195435  m  - 


The  Epijlle  Dedicatory. 


veto*  fa  ******  h<m-> 5      (to  ukTbeodorets  exprefsi- 

^8otw1*  (jAvbu-m!  qtAvn  hoy*       '  ,f      .  ~ 

Epift.  83-  mend  my  lelre,  but  necel- 

fitated  to  apologize,  and  to  aflert  the  verity 
of  what  I  have  delivered.  Many  afperfions 
have  been  caft  upon  me,  upon  my  Sermon : 

'PccStov  QvHs^oLv-rzxjjg  at  \iy{v%  I  expe- 

cted them.  The  difcifie  is  not  above  his  Majler. 
The  moft  of  you  were  my  hearers,  I  am 
contented  you  fliould  be  my  Judges :  and 
reft. 


Your  Honours 


and  Worfliips 
Servant  in  the  Gofpel, 


James  Cranford, 


TO 


To  The  reader. 


T  hath  been  my  endeavour,  in  this 
Sermon,  to  discover  unto  thee, The 
mifchief  that  Herefies  doe,  and 
the  means  to  prevent  it.  It  hath 
bten  my  care  (  yvfxvh*  a^G^  yvuivy 
k<p&>$)  to  deliver  the  naked  truth 
in  plain  exprefions  :  Rotten  pofts 
need pargetting,withered faces  painting ;  T ruth  is  mo(l 
comely  in  her  native  colours,  and  hath  flrength  of  her 
own.  £  J7  hhiyeov  vik*v3  to  conquer  by  weakneffe.  It  is  po(- 
ftble  thou  haft  heard  (if not fomented)the great  clamours 
raifed  againfi  my  (elf  and  my  Sermon,by  Sectaries, whom 
it  would  better  have  befeemedto  ^l0?3d^aj  raZr*  ^.ov  £x* 
have  amended  themMves  ,  and  n  ™*  o-u^k<1'qp%^  $v%s$mhv> 
their  own  err  our  s^  then  to  have  a- 


tU  cTg,    yJJt  T6T0 

Neftor.  Eplft.  4. 


Cyrii.  ad 


fper fed  others,  and  given  out  fuch 
unchrifiian  language ,  when  they 
were  not  at  all  injured,  but  only  reproved,  and  that  for 
their  advantage.   It  is  no  great  matter  to  mee  to  be 

judged  of  you,or  of  mans  judgement,  h  .„  that 

judgeth  me  is  the  Lord.  1 he  teflimony  of  my  confei- 
ence  and  God  the  approver  of  ^  $ 
my  doarine,  (weep  away  (as  a  fifctntctMcts  %xcv^  ffi  ivvoi&j  WottIU', 
fpiders  web)  the  calumnies  o(  **!  9KK?{  %^^^»^'*Q*5 
Jycophants  :  yet  to  the  mtent  I  &c  Theodorec.  Epift.  99. 

may 


To  the  Reader., 


may  remove  prejudice  from  thee,  1 Jhall  fpeak  in  a  word 
to  three  objections , which  are  mofl  frequent :  Firjl,Some 
fay,  It  wasunfeafonable.  Why  unfeafonable  ?  Becaufe 
others  were  ft  lent.  Nay  rather,  it  was  feafon  able, bee  aufe 
others  were  filcnt.  I  conceive,  with  Theodoret,  that 
•o  7T>ZT&x^k£e^tt)'TU&  fpeechor  fdence  inthis  feafon,  difiin- 
9stfdusrU  o  pidaiGSi&c  Epift.77.  guijheth  between  thefaithfull fhepherd 
and  the  hireling.  Pauls  fpirit  was fiirred  in  him  when 
he  faw  the  City  wholly  given  to  idolatry  :  And  is  rtpof- 
n&etj  fsumsoA  ^kia<  d^Kau^y  $  fble  for  a  faith  full Minifier  to  be 
To**™  ft&&u*Atm  \  jj  i  m&g&r-  fiUnt  when  the  faith  is  corrupted. 
%*U  rh  top  Cyprian,  ad  and  \o  many  [ubverted  ?  Muflwt 

N.Aor.  Epift.  i.  not  all  appear  before  the  judge- 

ment [eat  of  Chrijl,  and  give  an  account  of  our  unfeafo- 
nable  ftlence  ?  But  thanks  be  to  God,  there  is  no  ground 
for  fuch  an  objection.  Secondly,  Others  fay ,  J  was  bit- 
ter, the  Sermon  a  bloudy  Sermon.  I  anfwer  ;  Examine 
the  quotations  :  Was  I  more  bitter,  more  bloudy  then 
the  Scriptures  ?  then  the  Fathers  ?  Who  called  falfi 
Prophets  ravening  wolves,  dogs,  evill  workers  ? 
Who  wijhed  them  cut  of,  commanded  them  to  bee  re- 
proved  Jharply,  afinlZpax,  cuttingly  ?  Did  not  Chrifl  ? 
Bid  not  the  ^ipoflle<  Did  not  the  Ancients  account 

Cyril,  in  Joh.  them  KiraXeicLi  \%yzTdU,  c/W£6A8  $cLVe&7is  nrAyiAtS', 

I1ki.ca7.4-  The  workmen  of def  ruction,  the  huntfmenof  the  Di~ 
veil,  the  fnares  of  death  t  Were  thefe  bitter,  bloudy  i 
Iffo,  I  will  not  blujh  to  be  in  the  fame  condemnation 
with  my  Saviour  r  Bitter  pils  may  be  wholefomphyfick. 
Thirdly,  Others  fay,  All  men  [peak  ill  ofmee  :  fime  rc- 
folve  never  to  hear  more  in  that  Auditor)  for  my  fake, 
&c.  Reader,  Let  not  this  trouble  thee  •  ipaffe  through 
good  report  as  well  as  bad.  I  am  fatisfied  with  the  te~ 

(limony 


To  the  Reader. 


ftimony  of  Athanafius  5  I  have  ^  ^  _  nfaovl*  t?  ^ka,,^ 
^  becometh  a  Minifter  of  the  *?  net&MirH,    t«  «V  tS?  Kvuov  Ia^ 
Cofpel,  andthc-doltrine  ofgodlt-  ^^^SfS^TTSt 
wy  jharpejt  reproofs  a-  delphium. 

gainft  the fe  men.  Asforthefeo-  >E^Ta  ^yl[kov  >  Tj 

I  (ay,  with  the  fame  Father,  x**&v  wvolopU,  «m*  to  ^atIov  tLuj 
Irefpett  thofe  people  that  adhere  Tom.  * 

ft?  the  truth,  not  weather-cocks ?  and  fuch  as  delight  in 
novelties.  J  conclude  as  Audio,  Tou  have  heard  their 

reproaches,  which  they  had  Audi^flhmakma^ablUUwnaudiremJve- 
never  caft  Upon  me,  if  I  had  [tram  perditionetn  contemmem,  ft  cbmtatti  vifcera 
been  carele(fe  of  your  falva-  ^haberem.  Cont.lit.Petil.1.3 

tion.  Reader,  I  will  detain  thee  no  longer :  the  Ser- 
mon is  now  thine^  reade  it,  try  it,  cenfure  it>  (pare  not  $ 


CIO, 


but  remember,  the  fcene  will  be  changed,  it  {hall  one  day 
try,  and  cenfure  thee.  Vale. 

From  my  Study,  this 
itf.of  March,  1 64  5. 


J  A.  Cr  AN  V  ORD. 


The  trfttaljfts  of  the  Sermon* 


D.  Erroneous^  i. Speedily, 
grene        J  3. Mortally,  6 


C  Church' 

2.  Peace  <  j 
dCivill  ; 

3.  Piety  14 


fi.Hereticks  are  -*f 
People  are  < 


I  * 

r\  2. 

i 


Subtil,  17 
Atfive,  28 

1.  Ignorant,  30 

2.  Curious,  31 
Punifhiog  lukewarmnefle,  32 
Manifefting  the  approved,    3  3 

r  1 .  Adhere  to  the  Miniftry,  36 
f  1, People  ^2.  Try  all  things,  38 
V.3.  Avoid  Seducers,  39 
*T(.  Prevent  I  ^.Convince,  4* 

them,  ^  Caft  out)  44 


is  juft  < 


^.  Magiftrates,  what  they 


Have  done' 
May  doe 


H-flLRESEO-MACHIA, 

OR, 

Themifchiefe  which  Herefies  doc,  and 

the  means  to  prevent  it. 

2  T  I  M.  2.  17. 

And  their  word  wiB  eat  as  doth  a  canker (or  a  gangrene) 
of  whom  is  Hymenem  and  Thi/etutfoc. 

H  E  blefled  ApofUe  was,  at  the  wri- 
'  ting  of  this  Epiftle,  now  ready  to  be 
offered  up,  as  you  may  fee  Chap.4.6. 
I  am  now  ready  to  be  offered  up  ,  and 
the  time  of  my  departure  is  at  hand.  He 
writes  this  Epiftle,  as  his  laft  Will 
and  Teftament,to  timothy  his  own  fon 
in  the  faith,  to  give  him  direftion  how  to  behave  himfelf 
in  the  Church  of  God,  which  is  the  houfi  of  God,  the  pillar 
and  ground  of  truth.  Hee  beftowes  upon  him  good  coun- 
fell  (as  a  legacy)  that  hee  fhould  be  painfull  in  his  do- 
ctrine, and  watchfull  over  his  conversation,  and  propo- 
feth  himfelfe  as  an  example,  Chap.  3. 10.  Thou  haft  fully 
known  my  dottrinc,  manner  of  life  >  purpofisfaith5  long-fuffer- 
ing^charity^  patience :  ^Difce9puer,  virtutem  ex  me  ;  Learn,  a      %  % 
my  fon,  painfulnefle  and  watchfulneffe  ofmee;  a  I  re-  V^'H^e 
quire  no  more  of  thee  then  I  my  lelfe  have  given  thee  in  K{yav  w£  t 
pattern,  Thou  haft  fully  known,  &c.    Now  the  Apoftle,  Ignat.  ad  E- 
not  ignorant  of  the  wiles  of  the  divell,  his  main  engines  a-  phef. 
gainft  the  two  pillars  of  the  Church,  b  faith  b  »a  j^A  C«k  "M,  7t\o< 
and  love^  (the  bonds  of  our  union  with  our  $  <ftdM,7A 'j  Mo  i*  ivfovlt 
head,  and  with  his  body)  and  his  endeavours  yn^QgW^wtooi 
to  overthrow  love  by  the  overthrow  of  faith,  nh"> Id* lbld# 

B  hee 


2 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe^ 


hee  warns  him  in  a  fpeciall  manner  to  holdfafl  the  forme 
of found  words ,  and  to  jhew  himfelfe  a  workman  that  need  not 
be  afhamcd,  right  I)  dividing  the  word  of  truth  :  to  avoid  pro- 
fane  And  vainc  jangltngs,  which  would  increafe  to  more  nn- 
godlineffc.  And  hee  urgeth  the  fame  exhortation  in  my 
Text,  from  the  mifchiefe  that  will  ccme  to  the  Church  by 
fuch  vain  j  anglings  :  Their  word  will  eat  as  doth  a  gangrene, 
of  whom  is  Hymeneus  and  Philetus. 

The  Text  therefore  difcovers  the  mifchief  of  unfound 
teachers,  or  unfound  do&rine  ;  where  wee  confider, 
Firft,  the  Sub  jell,  Their  word  :  illuftrated  by  an  instance. 
Of  whom  ts  Hymeneus  and  'Philetus,  who  have  erred t  &c. 
Secondly,  the  Adjuntt*  Wtli  eat,  or  will  have  pafhire  ;  fct 
out  by  a  fimilttude,  As  doth  a  canker,  or  a  gangrene.  Thus 
you  have  the  connexion,  the  fcope,  and  parts  of  this 
verfe,  out  of  which  I  (hall  propofe  one  Obfervation  :  In 
the  profecution  of  which,  other  things  may  happely  be 
touched  upon  intranfitu.    The  Do&rine  is  this : 

Do&r.  Erroneous  and  unfound  dottrixe  is  of  a  devouring  (  i.  e. 

(preading  and  deftroy  ing)  nature :  Their  word  (faith  the 
Apoitle)  will  eat  as  doth  a  gangrene. 

The  Apoftle  Peter,  fpeaking  of  falfe  teachers,  afliires 

2  Pet.a.i3i.  us,  that  tbej {hall privily  bring  in  damnable  herefies  jven  die- 
tying  the  Lord  tlyat  bought  them :  And,that  many  fhall  fol- 
low their  pernicious  wajes,  by  reafon  of  whom  the  truth  fhall 
be  evtll  fpoken  of.  I  pray  you  obferve  it ;  Herefies,  errone- 
ous doctrines,  are  damnable,  They  fhall  bring  in  damnable 

<  -ZvuCcuvh  toU  «*\Avw.i-  herefies.  They  are  of  a  c  deftroying  nature. 

vet?  Saw  ivi  eLht&Hits        They  are  of  a  fpreading  nature,  Many  fhall 

ffSwitfc&aivw  tm  vUwy  f0u9W  their  pernicious  wansi :  So  alfo  TWa- 

1  '  f  teaching  things  which  they  ought  not ,  for  filthy  luere  fake* 
Herefies  are  of  a  deftroying  nature  $  They  fubvert  the 
houfe, * va^vjrtoi)  they  undermine  it,  and  overturn  it  from 
the  foundation :  They  are  of  a  fpreading  nature  '■>  They 
fubvert  whale  houfes,  many  houfe  are  overturned.  But 
by  what  is  all  this  ?  fpeaking  things  which  they  ought  not, 

for 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it. 


for  filthy  lucre  fake.  Our  Saviour  Chrift  warns  his  difciplcs 
to  beware  of  the  leaven  of  the  Thurifies  t  and  of  the  Saddu-  Matih.  16. 6* 
ces0  which  is  expounded  of  their  doftrine  :  Their  erro-  ir3it. 
neous  and  falfe  doftrine  is  compared  to  leaven,  which  is 
a  fit  d  reiemblance  of  all  doftrine.  The  do-  d  ^  ^  ^AntyUs  *y 
ftrine  of  the  Gofpel  is  compared  to  leaven ,  ify  rifo&j  CyriJ.  de  ador. 
Luke  1  5.  22,  and  the  corrupt  doftrine  of  the  in  fp.  &  verit.  lib.i  f . 
Pharifees  is  compared  to  leaven  ,becau(e,  As  a  little  leaven 
leavens  the  whole  lump,  and  quickly  fowres  all  5  fb  do- 
ftrine ,  c  when  it  once  finks  into  a  mans   e  , 
minde,  and  gets  into  the  heart,  it  doth  (as  it  %  **&2? 

were)  tranflate  the  foule,  and  fpirit,  and  bo-   $  ^J^fJl^l 
dy,  even  the  whole  man,  into  the  fimilitude,   nral-nfl*  f*s7*ro/x««»a  Cy- 
qualitie,  nature  of  it  felfe.    It  is  not  onely  nl-MMkl.ty. 
thus  fpreading  over  a  perfon  j  but  (the  Church  is  a  bo- 
dy, as  faith  the  Apoftle,  Te  are  the  body  ofChrift^and  tntm-  1  Cor.  1 2.2  7, 
ken  in  particular )  erroneous  doftrine  no  fboner  gets 
into  a  Churchy  but  it  overfpreads  it,  runs  thorowali, 
and  corrupts,and  fowres  all,as  faith  tie  Apoftle,  (7^.5.9. 

little  leaven  letvencth  the  whole  lump*  Erroneous  opi- 
nions  are  inteipreted  by  i  ibme  to .be  thofc  '  Vwf «  Kifei©- 
tares,  which  the  envious  man  and  the  adver-  iAV(&  Tr^Coxcui  £i&vt* 
forty  fowed  in  the  field  where  Chrift  had  juft.  Mart,  ad  or- 

lbwed  his  good  feed,  Matth.  12.25.   Tares,  tho-  SP-  *• 
if  they  be  fowed  in  a  field,  quickly  over-fpread  the  whole 
field,  and  choak  up  the  good  feed,  and  are  therefore  (if 
wee  may  beleeve  Bafil  %  )  a  fit  refemblance  of  g  "at*?  ttui  Mp&  nxv&l  r 
fiich  who  put  a  falfe  ftamp  upon  the  do-  mt&XA&prlflav  7*  r  KveU 
ftrines  of  Chrift,  and,being  themfelves  infe-  ^'<{«Wk.— Kcuw  <?  roo- 
fed with  the  doftrine  of  the  divell,  inter-  ms*  ftfy^tf  ftiffasitL 
mingle  themfelves  with  the  healthfull  body  ^B^J^SZ 
of  the  Church,  that  they  may,  undifcerned,  U  to  7& 

diffiife  their  poyfbn  into  the  foules  of  thofe      Uul&v  $K<i£A<  rott  dut* 
that  are  unlearned,  or  well  meaning.  The  s^tycW**?™*  *nHc- 
fame  Father  in  another  h  place  compares  here-  xm' hom'^  Hex.bom.*. 
lies  &  erroneous  opinions  mmMvi3  to  a  noifcme  canker, 
or  carbuncle9which  is  no  lefle  dangerous  then  infeftious. 

B  2  Saint 


4 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe, 


J  am.  3. 6.  Saint  James  tels  us  of  a  tongue  that  is  fet  on  fire  by  hell, 

and  fetteth  oh  fire  the  whole  courfe  of  nature.  Would  you 
know  what  tongue  this  is  ?  It  is  the  falfe  tongue,  the 
Pfal.  1 10. 3 .     lying  tongue,  which  David  compares  to  (harp  arrowes  of 
the  mighty^  and  coals  of  Juniper.  I  am  not  ignorant  that 
in  Ucum.        Hilary  3  Cbryfoftome,  Augufttne  underftand  this  of  the  pu- 
tt ifhment :  LMoller,  Mar  lor  ate,  Amefius,  &c.  of  the  mif- 
chievoufnefle  of  the  falfe  tongue    which  is  compared  to 
coals  of  Juniper,  hot  burning,  hard  to  be  quenched, 
keeping  fire  exceeding  long,  and  eafily  fpreading  it  into 
2  Arius  in  AUxadrU  fcMUa  urn  every  fubjeft , fiich  coals  is  an  hereticall 
fuit3fedquianonftatimoppre[fa3to-  tongue.    1  Anus  was  but  one  fingle 
vim  or  km  ejus  flamma  populata  esl,  fpark,  yet,becaufe  not  fpeedily  put  out, 
Hieron.  in  Gal.  $  .lib  3.  free  fet  the  whole  world  on  fire  ;  fo  that 

the  world  did  admire  that  it  was  become  Arian.  And  the 
Jer.?.3»         Prophet  compares  the  tongue  to  a  bow,  (Jer.9.  3.  They 
have  bent^t  heir  tongues,  their  bowes,  for  lies )  and  the  words 
Pfal.tf 4. 3 .      to  arrowes,  Ffal.64~3*  That  they  may  (hoot  out  their  arrows, 
bitter  words.    If  thefe  things  be  true  of  a  flanderous 
tongue,that  calumniates  men  5  how  much  more  true  of 
a  falfe  tongue,  that  perverts  truth,  and  blafphemes  God  > 
%  There  are  no  words  fo  bitter  as  the  words 

*  lnpr  feutarm  fermmes  ofherefie ;  they  are  Mliarp  arrowes,  O^tttf 
ipforum  wdavulnerant^o-  arrQWes  that  havc  t€eth  .  thefe  wofds  are  de_ 
var.l  9.Eleft.fac.SeCT.i3.  .  ,    nr  . 

^  vounng  words,  Pfal.52.4. 

Our  Saviour  Chrift  compares  falfe  prophets  to  rave' 
nous  wolves,  whofe  property  it  is,  not  to  worry  a  fheep, 
but  make  havock  of  a  flock  ;  not  to  devour  one,  but 
fcatter  all :  The  truth  is  fufficiently  declared  out  of  Scri- 
pturej  Herefies  do  eat  as  doth  a  canker  or  a  gangrene.  Let 
us  now  confider, 

f  1 .  The  refeniblance  between  a  gangrene  and  herefie 

\       in  the  manner  of  eating. 

<  2.  What  it  is  that  herefies  eat. 

73.  Howie  comes  to  pane  that  they  foeat  :  And 

C       then  make  fome  Application.  . 

Firft,  for  the  refemblance :  Firft,  Herefies,  like  a 

gangrene, 


and  the  means  to  ft  event  it.  5 


gangrene,  eat  fpeedily  :  a  gangrene,  though  it  fhew  it  (elf 
in  the  fartheft  part  of  the  body,  yet  in  a  very  little  while 
will  be  gotten  to  the  heart,  the  principal^  part  of  the 
body,  and  quickly  kill  the  man.  Hereticall  opinions  do 
on  the  ftidden  make  a  large  progrefle  $  I  mar  veil  (faith  Gal.f  .6. 
the  Apoftle)  you  are  fo  foon  removed  from  him  that  called 
you  into  the  grace  of  ChriB^  into  another  GofpeL  It  bred  ad- 
miration in  the  Apoftle,  not  fo  much  that  they  were 
moved,  as  that  they  were  fo  fuddenly  moved  ;  that  there 
mould  be  fiich  a  ftrange,  becaufe  fpeedy,  alteration.  Ac- 
cording to  the  expofition  of  1  fome,  S.  John  fees  herefie  1  Beda  &  Ty- 
on  horie-back,  with  a  paire  of  balances  in  the  hand  :  it  conius  apud 
goes  not  on  foot  {lowly,  but  rides,for  more  hafte.  Aria-  Pareutn' 
nifme  in  a  fhort  {pace  overfpread  theEaft,  Pelagianifine   ^oc'  f*. 
the  world.  Wee  need  not  fearch  ftories  for  presidents, 
it  is  lamentable  what  fiiccefTe  errours  have  had  amongft 
our'  felves  in  thefe  laft  three  or  four  yeers  of  Ecclefiafti- 
call  Anarchy  and  confiifion ,  whether  wee  relpecl:  the 
numbers  of  errours,  or  of  the  erroneous.  Amfterdam, 
Poland,  Tranfilvania,  places  moft  infamous  for  herefies, 
are  now  righteous,  compared  with  England,  London, 
which  info  fhort  a  {pace  have  broached,  or  entertained 
above  160  errours,  many  of  them  damnable,  of  which 
you  {hall  have  an  nl  account  not  long  hence.  m  'MEdwards 

Secondly,  Herefies,  like  a  gangrene,  eat  almoft  incit-  Gangrene. 
rably  :  It  is  an  hard  matter  to  ftop  the  fpreading  of  a 
gangrene.  Ure^  fee  a ;  it  is  the  Chirargians  rule.  Cut ,and 
burn  :  the  difmembring  of  the  part  affefted  will  fcarce 
ftay.  the  gangrene  5  and  it  becomes  altogether  incurable, 
if  it  once  come  to  that  wThich  they  call  the 
height  of  it*  1 1  mitt,  not  give  you  the  reafon  of  it  in  na- 
ture, I  come  not  to  read  a  Phyfick  lecture  :  {lire  I  am,  it 
is  fo  amongft  opinions  ;  if  they  be  once  received  in^ 
they  are  hardly,  or  never  cured  :  they  are  alwayes  grow- 
big  to  mortification,  to  make  the  party  fenfeleffe  and 
liveleffein  whom  they  are.  The  Apoftle  tels  us,  that 
they  thajt  fpeakglies  in  ty peer ifiey  have  their  confidence  feared,  1  Tim. 4.1. 

as 


6 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doey 


z  Tim. 3.3.  ^  as  it  we7e%  with  an  hot  iron  :  They  are  paft  feeling,  they 
a  K«l2?9*jj^e-  ^stmen  n  of  corrupt  tnindes^  reprobate  concerning  the  faith: 
voi  7ov  vow,    j^gy  iiay€  ujtim prixcipiHm,  are  without  understanding  : 
Judc  1 1 3 1 1 .    They  are  as  fr^',  f nw*  dead^andpuU'd  up  bj  the  roots  ;  and 
can  wee  expect  a  cure  ?    It  was  the  complaint  of  the 
Church  concerning  Babylon,  Wee  would  have  healed  Ba- 
b)lox ,  and jhee  would  not  be  healed:  It  may  be  our  com- 
plaint concerning  fiich  as  aremifieadby  opinions,  Wee 
would  have  healed  them,  but  they  would  not  be  healed ; 
Hof.  7.1.        but  rather,  as  the  Prophet  fpeaks,  When  I  would  have  he  a  - 
ledlfrael)  the  iniquity  of '  Sphr Aim  was  difcovered^  and  the  fin 
of  Samaria ,&c.  they  grow  worie  and  worfe  under  their 
^  medicine,  o  Athanafw  compares  fome 
fHKvttfi&oi  <nd<m  ffmtfamc  %pt**i  in  his  time  to  the  ferpent  Hjdra ,  of 
euxuuovrai ' ^tint  &msj  n  M-  which  the  Poets  feble,  that  when  one 
yo^n^  Toldhxmjv  c*         iieaci  was  cut  Qff    divers  rofe  in  the 
T*et     ^,  «^W  f  fkad  of  if,  it  increafedby  being  dimini- 
'<m>  vtevHxSff*        rhr  dvcu.  hied  :  fo  (faith  hee)  thefe  hghters  a- 
$rr*  tm  rV  irk?™  «?e^oA?.  To?  gainft,  and  haters  of  God,though  often 
avtov  TfWov  ^  oi  eio^nxot  *5  convinced,  confuted,  filenced,  yet  will 
ewvyfo  &Tms  r^Tfo?4i?.  notyeeld;  imdy  new  armaments,  finde 
wvjj  •mn  loviiis  —      7iS\j  tow       J  «i         1  •        j  _ 

0  bidCoh&eiMf  hwmiaAty,  thcn  thelr  rather  the  Diveli  himielte, 
antihfkv  hrwa,  knnj'ZiCkM  tk  who  would  be  afhamed, and  tremble  to 
val%$\*a  avvW  hmv&mu  yoyyt*  oppofe  fuch  light  as  they  contradict 
&h  &c.  Athao.  torn.  1.  contra  and  raurroure  againft.  Thus  much  that 
rian.orat.4.  Ancient;  which  our  experience  verifies. 

Thirdly,  Herefies,  like  a  gangrene,  eat  mart  ally  ;  A 
gangrene,  in  ivhat  part  of  the  body  foever,  if  not  pre- 
vented, is  mortallj  it  ftrikes  tothe  heart :  fo  it  is  with 
herefies  ,  and  errours  in  opinion,  though  they  teem  at 
firft  but  little  fpots'  (as  a  gangrene  discovers  it  felf 
by  little  black  fpots  in  the  out-iidc  of  the  skin)  yet,  if 
they  be  not  flopped,  will  attach  the  heart.  In  tie  verfe 
before  the  Text,  They  wiM  mereafeioy»oremgedlheffe  ; 
J>ato  uno  abjurdO}  [equeittm  inftntia.  But  of  this  more  in 
another  place.  The  Apoftle  Peter  gives  them  the  Epi- 
thets 


dWilhc  weans  lu  f^c  ucrtt  U, 


-  r 


theteof  Damnable:  7*/*/ reckons  them  up  anion     the  iPet.i.i. 
works  of  the  flelh,  which  fliut  out  of  the  kingdome  of  Gal.y.19. 
God.   This  feems  an  harm  do&rine  to  Arminians,  Se- 
ctaries, other  patrons  of  errour ;  but  it  is  the  do&rine  of 
the  Scriptures,  of  the  Church  »  u»  vA*y£&,*Si\tpoi oi  oikc^i  fa- 
in all  ages,    p  Ignatius, one  of  cthnaM  0g»  «  YJK\\&nyMe*w%  £  $  61  t&} 
the  moii  ancient,  and  a  fcholar  ttm  JW^H^jfe  dewa,™  y^r*- 

of  the  Apoftles,  aflures  us,  that  ^^  ^^^ol  rte  x^Z  jy*. 
both  (educing  and  Reduced  he-  ^  _  'o^jV^ 
retjeks  ihall  penlh  tor  ever,and  jy^W  ty^o&u 
that  with  as  good  reafon,  as,a-  <sroiu&'  ssax&Aa&W,    >$%fy  SoEm 

mongft  men,  they  that  break  *F  1&nar- 2cl  EPhef- 

houfes  are  put  to  death.    O,  that  wee  did  ferioufly  con- 
fider  this,  Herefies  are  as  mortal!  as  gangrenes.  The  thiefe  John  1  o.  10. 
cometh  not  but  to Jleale,  to  kjU,and  to  deflroy  e  The  falfe  pro- 
phet, like  a  roaring  lion  ravening  the  prey y  devours  foules^  E2ek-.11.1j. 
faith  the  Lord  by  the  Prophet  Ez^ekiel^  chap.  2  2  .v.  2  5 .  So 
Cyril,,  q  They  feaft  it  with  the  fouls  of  q  t^Mu       ffi  «xA*rl- 
fimple  people,  which  they  grinde  with       4vx*<;  *i(*f  ™  tbr&Tm  0- 
the  teeth  of  errour.  O,  that  this  was         rw^i£#Tgfc  Cyril,  in  Ho- 
laid  to  heart.There  is  no  more  fefety  for  *"eam# 
men  under  the  guidance  of  erroneous  teachers,  then  for 
ftieep  under  the  protection  of  a  ravening  wolfe :  Hereti- 
call  opinions  are  not  imbraced  without  the  extremeft 
hazzard  of  the  precious  foule.  Wee  fear  a  gangrene  \  it 
kilsthe  body  :  why  doe  wee  delight  in  (at  lealr  favour, 
and  not  abhorre)  erroneous  opinions,  which  deilroy  the 
foul  >  What  {hall it  profit  a  man,  ifhet  win  the  whole  worldD  Match.  i  <5V 
and  lofe  his  foul?  and  what  veill  he  give  in  exchange  for  his 
foul  t    Prize  xvee  not  that  which  Chrift  hath  purchafed 
with  his  deareft  bloud  ?  Or,  doe  we  undervalue  that  pre- 
cious bloud  by  which  wee  were  redeemed )  Shall  wee  re- 
nounce the  Lord  that  bought  tts  ?  Or,  mall  wee  make  inef- 
fe&uall  fo  great  a  purchafe  ?  Are  wee  enemies  to  the  croffe 
of  Chrift  ?  Or,  mail  wee  make  his  death  vain  ?  r  Na&ian' »  Na2.orar.42" 
*>cnc  tels  us,fpeaking  of  here-  'r^re?  av  XeisU  fapdiv  a-r'deun,  ta  »x<Lti& 
ticks,  that  they  are  unthank-  r%y.&l*»  t«  to  <nm$  *sKaa\ul\*» 

full 


full  creatures,the  ofF-fpring  of  the  divel,for  whom  Chrift 
is  dead  in  vain.  A  hard  lentence,  may  fome  one  happely 
fay;therefore  let  us  proceed  to  the  fecond  thing  propofed, 
and  fee  what  it  is  that  herelies  deftroy. 

2.  The  Apoftle  in  the  Text  ufeth  this  phrafe,N©e<ZyJ  §f 
tranflated,  it  will  eat  5  it  may  be  rendred,  will  have  pafture; 
for  the  w.ord  Ne^w  fignifies  not  onely  the  a&ion,  eating, 
but  the  objeft  alfo,  the  pafture>  the  food  which  is  eaten 
up.There  are  three  precious  things  which  herelies  devour: 
rqu*  1  ere-  FkR,  Faith;  which  is  taken  fometimes  f  for  the  doftrine 
of  faith,  or  the  truth  beleeved  fometimes  for  the  aft  of 
faith,  or  the  grace  of  beleeving :  erroneous  opinions  o- 
verthrow  and  deftroy  both. 

1 .  Concerning  the  former,  the  doftrine  of  faith,there 
can  no  queftion  be  made :  Errours  deftroy  truths  And,  a* 
2  Tim.  $  .8.     James  and  Jambres  withfiood  M ofes^fo  do  thefe  alfo  re  ft  ft  the 
truth :  men  of  corrupt  mindesy  reprobate  concerning  the  faith* 

1  Tim.i.  1 8.    Thus  faith  the  Apoftle  of  Hymeneus  and  PhiletHsy  Concer- 

ning the  truth  the)  have  erred*  Falfe  prophets,among  the 
Jer.  2 1 .  people,)?*/*  away  the  word  ofG  od every  one  from  his  neighbour: 

2  Cor.  2.        Falfe  teachers,  amongft  us,  adulterate  and  fophiflicate  the 

word  of  ^od.  As  it  is  in  nature,darknefsdeftroyes  the  light, 
blindnefs  puts  out  the  fight,  fickneffe  removes  health  ;  fo 
is  it  in  this  matter,  errours  deftroy ,put  out,remove  truth. 
"Dum  plumfi-  Thus  uffilarius  obferves  concerning  the  various  confefli- 
rmffi  nTulU  ons  °f tne  Brians  5  They  made  many,that  thy  might  have 
fit  Ad  Conft.  none.This  is  a  fore  mifchief  under  which  our  Church  for 
the  prefent  labours  j  there  is  fcarcely  any  truth  which  is 
*  Abdkatd  quMibet  parte  Catbolicidogmatujlia  qw%,  not  by  one  opinion  or  other 
at %  item  alia,  &  dance ps  aba,  &  alia  jam  quafiex  dire&ly  oppofed,or  indireft- 
HKr^c^  licito  abdicabuntur.   Porro  autem  fingulatim  \y  undermined  :  And  could 
paribus  repudiate,  quid  aliud  adextremumfequetury  a     other  ^  of  QUr  ^ 
nifiut  totum  pariter  repudietur  ?  Si  novitia  vetertbus,  1   ^^n.^  v  wl^ 

extranet  domeftkis,  propbanafacratis  adrmfcenwpe-  toni?efs  beexpefted?  x  When 
rlnt  proferpat  bit  mos  in  univerfm  neceffe  efl,  ut  mHl  ^J  branch  ot  divine  truth  is 
poftbac  apud  Ecclefiam  relinquatw  intaftum  5— fed  fit  by  any  rejefted,(it  is  the  ob- 
ibidem  deinceps  mpiorum^ac  turpium  errorum  lupanary  fervation  of  Vinccntius  L'tri- 
ubieratmeufl*  &  imnHpufacrarim  ver/^fw,  »r^/)prefently  another.and 
C0ntr.Harcf.c3..  *r  anothera 


and  the  means  tp  prevent  it. 


another,  after  that  another  and  another  will  be  reje&ed, 
till  at  laft  none  at  all  be  left  remaining. 

Thus  it  fell  out  in  the  Church  of  Rome,  which, 
fromerrours  in  the  beginning  little,  in  comparison,  and 
almoft  infallible,  is  become  the  miftrefle  and  mother  of 
abominations,  the  fink  and  fea  ofherefies.   Thus  with 
the  Anabaptifts,  who  erring  at  the  firft  but  in  one  par- 
ticular, have  proceeded  fome  of  them  in  other  parts,  to 
eight  and  forty  more,  many  of  them  dangerous,  and  ra- 
cing the  foundation.   Who  did  not  fear  whither  our 
late  Prelaticall  innovations  tended  >    It  was  not  with- 
out caufe,  that  the  y  Ancients  ac-  y  rtwU^^n^  ac- 
counted the  leait  alteration  in  mat-  ^0yiV7av  ^irav  lyd-Hw  Keivopb 
ters  of  faith  to  be  the  extremeft  bhf-  {iKdw^Uv       d^iCnoMj  Greg.Niff. 
uhemy  and  ungodlinerTe  ;    z  That  contr.Eunom. 

they  have  willingly  undergone  all  *  01  ™M«<  ^T^l  ltTl 
1  •  7i     r?\     tm         l     .  1       1  r      1  voiy&ffi&cu  ufy  rV  $&av  $  trypan  w 
kinds  oi  death,  rather  then  deferted  ^n^cw  dviyZrcu  <tum*CM'  -tei? 
oncfyllable  of  the  truth  :  The  leaft  j>i  rvTav,  no*  ^d^H  Hoi 
errpur  entertained,  prepares  the  way  r«  rck  iJW  d<md£ovTa/  s  Theodo- 
for  greater,  difpofes  the  heart  to  re-  ret.Ecd.hift.  L4.cap.1tf. 
jeft  all  truth,  as  the  pulling  one  ftone  out  of  an  arch,di£- 
pqfeth  tjie  whole  to  mine. 

2.  Concerning  the  latter,  (the  grace,or  a&  of  belee- 
ving  )  the  Apoftk  (peaks  exprefly.  They  overthrew  the 
faith  of  fome.  This  fad  effecl:  of  erroneous  teachers  is  no- 
tably defcribed  by  ^thanafw  5  If  ,£/  ^  ^  &  ^ 
themfelves  (faith  hee)  hadbeleeved,           rm     ™V  ^  wkx*tM°« 
they  would  not  have  made  any  far-      hhlyov  (ntdvfetw  toT?  <TejM»- 
ther  inquiry  j  but  their  difputings  *iv*totvx)v,  «m«    <ba*tw7  >s- 


religion,  and  a  great  ground  of  pro-  Arim.Saleu.    Td  vi*  c*«W 
fufe  laughter  to  Pagans,  in  that  wvQov*(At)*y™* 
Chriftians ,  as  newly  awaked  out  «f^i«,  ™V  «r/ww  afafah 

of  a  profound  deep,  enquire  what  Tflt> 
they  ought  to  beleeve  concerning  Chrift.  Their  new  o- 
pinions  make  beleevers  infidels,and  infidek  more  adverfe 

C  to 


10 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe^ 


to  faith.  Wee  fee  this  amongft  our  felves  5  what  mul- 
titudes, unfetled  by  unfound  doftrine,have  changed  their 
faith,  either  to  Scepticifme,  to  doubt  of  every  thing  j  or 
Atheifine,  to  beleeve  nothing  >  And  it  hath  been  a  juft 
reward  upon  feducers  ,  that  thenifelves  have  been  de- 

*  nfoajJlo*  <ar/-  feivedly  a  diftrufted  and  deferted  by  their  followers, 

sdjhwvTtu     whoni  they  had  taught,  not  to  beleeve  their  teachers. 

McuZVJ-  Thus  ™ch  of  the  tot  mifchicf  of  herefies,  That  they  de- 

ariiv      h-  ftroy  faith. 

f&ffiuLKov,  A-       2.  The  fecond  thing  which  herefies  eat  up  is  Peace : 

thanaf.  ibid.  thev  devour  Feace,  the  legacy  of  Chrift ,  and  Love,  the 
bond  of  perfettion.  They  overthrow  the  peace  of  the 
Church,they  diuurbe  the  peace  of  the  Common-wealth. 
From  hence  (that  men  confent  not  to  found  dotlrine^  but  are 
fickjibota  questions}  cometh  envie,ftrife,  reviling*  eviff  fur- 
mijjngSy  &c.  And  where  envie  is,  where  evill  furmiiings 
and  jealoufies,what  peace  can  there  be  >  When  that  falfe 

A&.  1 5.1,24.  doctrine  was  broached  at  Antioch,  there  was  no  fmaltdif* 
fcntion  anddtffutation,  the  Church  was  troubled  with  words 
fitbverting  their  foules  :  The  troubles  arofe  fo  high,  tti&t 
an  cecntnenicall  Synod,  or  Conncell  of  the  world  Was 
neceflary  for  the  composing  of  that-  difference.   T  he  like 

Galat.  ? .  befell  the  Churches  of  Galatia.  1  fpare  the  further  eon- 
finiiation  of  this^  r  it  is  coftfeflk^  it  is  evidenced  by  the 
Holland  Anwiniawsy  the  new-England  Families  :  h  mil 
not  be  much  laid  to  heart ,  beings  conceived  by  many 
as  a  matter  of  no  gi*at  coniecfueiice.  If  errours  arife 
in  the- Church,  dieConimon-weato  wilhiot  want  con- 
fitlion,  it  mail  needs  feffe>  (as  the  Pnyfician  fpeaks)  pfr 
confenfum  :  and  that  in  regard  of  the  ju#  judgement  of 
God  revenging  the  comiptmsr  of  hrs  Worfhip,  and  pro- 
fanation of  his  nairie:  Thus  it  befell  Ifrael,  Theyferved 

Ja<Jg.  ftrangegodti  then  was  warre  in  the  gates ;  and  of  all  warres 

that  which  is  mod:  craell  arret  deftrn&ive,  civilland  m- 

a.Chro.1 j.  teftine  warre,  For  Nafhn  was  de&roytd  ofJVafhn,  Citie  of 
Citie,  &c.  This  is  the  righteous  hand  of  God;,  that  they 
tRat  tvHP  wot  maintain  peace  with  heaven,  fhall  have 

trouble 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it. 


II 


trouble  on  earth.  I  readc  not  of  any  contentions  more 
bitter, then thofe grounded  on  diflentions  in  religion: 
7 he  Jems  had,  no  deahngs  with  the  Samaritans  ^not  fo  much  Joh.^.^, 
as  for  a  cup  of  cold  water,  or  a  nights  lodging :  what  was 
the  reafon  ?  The  difference  in  religion  :  one  faid}  Te  mujl 
worfhip  in  this  mountain  :  7he  other >  Jerufalem  is  the  place 
where  men  ought  to  worship.  The  difference  was  not  great, 
onely  this  ;  the  Samaritans  would  be  a  Church  inde- 
pendent to  Jeru{alem,they  would  worfhip  in  that  moun- 
tain, but  there  was  no  dealing  between  them.  Ephraim 
did  not  ceafe  to  envie  jfudah  ,  Judah  did  not  ceafe  to  vex 
Ephraim,  till  they  were  both  turned  unto  the  Lord,  to 
(erve  him  with  one  content  5  they  grow  not  up  into  one  king-  Ezek.37. 
dome,  till  they  have  accorded  into  one  Church* 

It  is  commonly  replyed  in  Pulpits,  in  Prenes,  That  a 
toleration  of  all  confciences,  even  Antichriftian^  would 
be  a  foveraign  remedy  to  cure  all  diflentions,  and  an  e£- 
fe&uall  means  to  compofe  the  warres  of  Chriftendome  : 
all  the  blood  that  hath  for  fo  many  yeers  been  fhed,  is 
charged  upon  the  reftraint  of  this  licentioufnefle,  igno- 
rantly  or  malicioufly  termed  perfecution. 

I  anlwer,  It  is  belides  my  purpofe  to  difcufle  this  que- 
ftion  of  Toleration,  which  is  the  work  (as  I  am  inform- 
ed) of  another  hand  ;  onely  for  the  prefent  let  meetell 
you, 

1.  That  the  Toleration  pleaded  for  is  not  ecclefiafti- 
call  j  for  fo  it  is  refolved  by  two  of  the  Brethren  in  their 

anfwer  to  A.  S.  1 .  The  Minister  ought  by  Scriptures  pag,6f, 

to  evince  the  faljhood  offuch  wayes.  2.  Others  that 

have  an  annointing  of  light  and  knowledge  from  God  are 
bound  to  contribute  the  beft  of  their  endeavours  to  the  fame 
end*  5.  The  Magifirate  ought  to  admonijh  the  Minifler,  if 
careleffe  orforgetfull  of  his  duty^  that  hee  fulfill  his  miniftery 
in  that  point  alfo.  4.  ^Members  of  a  particular  congregation, 
continuing  obftinate  after  means  ofconvittion,  and  two  or  three 
admonitions fought  to  be  cafi  out.  A  Church  infetted  ought 
to  be  admonished  by  neighbour  Churches 9  and  if  it  continue  ob- 

C  2  fttnatcj 


12 


The  mifchiefe  which  Heresies  doe, 


ftinate,  communion  with  it  ought  to  be  renounced:  Thus.,  in 
effect,  two  of  the  brethren;  which  fhewes  the  mifchiefe 
of  herefie  in  diiUirbing  the  Churches  peace  :  and  this,  to 
him  that  feriouily  confiders  it,  will  appear  to  be  no  fmali 
mifchiefe. 

2.  The  Toleration  fo  commended  as  the  mother  of 
peace,  may  be  called  civill,  a  non-fupprelTion  of  errours 
by  the  Magiftrates  laws  or  power :  This  is  that  great  Di- 
ana fo  much  magniried,  fo  frequent  in  the  mouthes  of 
Sectaries.  To  difpute  the  lawfulnefle  of  it  is  (as  I  faid) 
belides  my  purpofe  5  I  onely  enquire, 

Firft,  Would  thefe  men  that  fo  hotly  defend  it,  grant 
that  Toleration  (if  they  had  power  in  their  hands)  to 
others3which  they  defire  for  themfelves  \  I  doubt  it.  The 
Arians  did  fometimes  feem  as  earneft  enemies  to  per  [ecu- 
tion  as  thefe  men  5  yet  when  they  had  authority  on  their 
fide,  they  raifed  perfecution  againft  the  orthodox,  more 
terrible  then  the  heathen  Emperors  againft  the  Chrifti- 
ans,  which  the  Churches  of  the  Eaft  moft  grievoufly 
*  Biniitora.i.  b  complained  of.  sSZtkanaJiHs  at  large  defcribeth,  and 
cone.  p.  636.  having  fpoken  much  of  their  inhumane  and  more  then 
belluine  cruelty  againlt  all  fexes3all  ages,  both  living  and 

'  •Owaft^Wil^^ii^*  d€*d>  c  concludes,  that  hee  had  faid 
auWnl®-  du<$  jIjj  tiyav  ft-  lene  then  their  inhumanity  was,  be- 
nym/v,  Epift.ad  Soli:2r.  cmfe  it  exceeded  all  exprelfion.  The 

Donatifts  did  ordinarily  plead  for  toleration,  and  feem- 
ed  the  moft  inveterate  enemies  to  all  difturbance  for  con- 
fcience  fake ,  yet,  when  under  the  Apoftate  Julian  they 
~     .  1.  ,  „,      .         had  gotten  power,  who  cande- 

f£*f*m  reddidit,  mhatU  qu*  fir*.  c  are  Cd  faith  Auftm)  what  havock 
ns  {  voids  facia,  fint  ?  cmmenmart  they  made  of  the  orthodox  >  c  All 
fufficiat,&c.  Con.lir.Pecil.l.2.c.8i.  Africa  was  filled  with bloud and 
*e  Ldcerati  junt  viri,  tra&afmt  matron*,  defolation  ;  men  were  rent,  ma- 
hfanttsntcatl  abaci  1  [unt  partus  Willi  U-  tr0ns  dragg^infants  flaughtered, 
cuit  fecurumefje  m  poUefjiombusfuis^ttiam  ;i      1.11       .9.     .  y 

luvnnonpmantl^  women  w"h   childe  mifcarried, 

utr  ernes  Uteris  earn  qui  fe  Duces  fanBo*  none  were  lecure  in  their  homes, 
rumjaftabant,  Oput.cont.Parm.  U. 5.    the  wayes  were  not  fafe  for  travel- 


ers 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it. 


l3 


ers  j  the  letters  of  them  that  boafted  to  be  the  Cap- 
tains of  the  fatnts  wae  terrible  to  all.  Are  our  men 
led  by  another  fpirit  ?  Sure  I  am,  that  one  of  them,  that 
with  moft  earneltnefle,  or  impudence  pleads  for  tolerati- 
on, was  lately  of  another  minde  in  the  cafe  of  the  Fami- 
lies and  Antinomians  in  new-England. 

Secondly,  Would  fiich  toleration  conduce  to  the  e- 
ftabliming  of  peace  in  the  Common- wealth  ?  Hath  it  e- 
verdoneit?  Poflible  it  is,  that  the  equality  of  powers 
may  perfwade  each  party  for  a  feafon  to  flipprelfe  their 
inward  rancor ;  can  toleration  take  it  away,  fo  that  it 
(hall  not  break  out  upon  fenfible  advantages  by  the  in- 
creafe  of  ftrength  ?  Let  the  experience  of  former  ages,and 
prefent  times  teach  this.  What  peace  was  there  in  the  Ro- 
man Empire  upon  the  toleration  of  the  Donatifts  f  f  Op  f  Optn.  l.z.j. 
tatusy  g  Auguftine^  in  the  places  before  alledged,  declare,  8  Aug.cpn.lis, 
that  all  places  were  filled  with  conmfion  ;  the  CtrcumceL  Peul- 1,24 
hones,  or  furious  'Donatifls,  not  waiting  for  the  fignall  of 
a  law  to  give  commiifion,  (et  the  world  on  fire  5  Macari- 
/#,and  others  with  the  forces  of  the  Empire,  were  but  mf- 
ficient  to  quench  the  burning.  What  peace  had  Germany 
upon  the  edi&s  of  Ch*rles  the  fifth  ?    The  Smalcaldian 
warre,defcribed  byS/W^,demonllrates,that  they  yeelded 
onely  a  time  of  breathing,  that  each  party  might  increafe 
in  ftrength,  and  gain  advantages,  and  then  fight  to  in- 
terneciont    Was  it  not  fo  in  France  ?  Will  a  toleration 
fatisfie  hereticks,  if  they  have  power  in  their  hands  ?  It 
did  not  content  the  Trim  Papiiis,  witnefle  the  bloud  of 
150000  Protestants  fhed  upon  the  fir  ft  advantage,  and 
thefe  unnaturall  warres  fo  long  continued.  Errour  may 
tolerate  errour,  ftvis  inter  Je  cohvenit  urjis  :  but  can  dark- 
netfe  agree  with  light  ?  or  wolves  with  fheep  ?  TerttttltAH 
obferves  concerning  hereticks  of  old ,  h  They  agreed 
well  enough  one  with  another;  h  Vacmcumommb^mifcmmicnmi^ 
tor  though  they  differed  in  pri-  tereffiillsjicet  diver  fa  tr  atf  ant;  bus,  dum  cd 
vate  opinions,  yet  they  joy ned  umus  veritatisexpugmioxemconrpirent}Z)i 
in  one  in  the  oppofing  of  truth  :  prsfcripr.  cent.  H*ret.  c.  4t.  ; 

Herod 


1 4  The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doey 

Herod  and  FiUte  may  be  made  friends  againft  Chrift.  A- 
.        ,v  ,        1'   ,  «   jp.r  thanafitis  relates  concerning  the 

1  Tats  alio  cu?'.7H$  at  iuKpdi&&  zzwiyf     j  .*        .      ,        ...  o 
itoJS  cu»n«^  h^Hv  ^tcv  4"*»*>  '  They  did  not  trouble 
Kveuvn  pjbrw  o  *£&  Xeemic  hnC*htL-  other  herefies,their  younger  lifters, 
&y,  i&&v&eLK*iv  j£t*  X6<5-»         iu-  in  blaipheming  Chrift  }  their  ma- 
«C»r,  Epift.  ad  Solua.  }jce  was  inveterate  againft  the  or- 

thodox. Dominicans  y  Trancifcans,  Jefu'ttes  have  their  pri- 
vate differences,  and  yet  agree  to  live  together  \  but  what 
lafety  is  there  tor  Proteirants  amongft  them  ?  If  we  rmde 
not  the  mifchiefe  of  our  errours  in  this  point,  if  Holland 
doth  not,  let  them  thank  the  Spanifn  arms,  and  wee  the 
common  enemy,  and  both,  under  God,  the  inconside- 
rable number  and  weakneffe  of  the  heterodox.    k  You 
»  With  ubi  ponslis,  ubi  mn  faciei*  non  perfecute  (filth  ji*Jttm  of  tie  D*- 
ptefu<,  five  if  gum,  five  invidU  timaxeji-  natifis)  where  you  are  able  j  where 
"vs  refi;ie?uiiim  multitudine,  Auguft.  conr.  you  perfecute  not,you  are  not  able 
Pail  lib.i.cjp.S^.  to  doe  it,  reftrained  by  the  fear  of 

Liwes,  or  envie,  or  the  multitude  making  reiiftance.  I 
have  been  long  upon  this  point  ;  but  1  will  conclude  it 
with  that  folemne  embattle  which  the  orthodox  Fathers, 
affembled  in  councell  at  Sirmium,  fent  to  the  Emperour 
,    .  .  x  .  1     <  ,  «    m    ,    Con  slant ins  :  I  have  infifted  the 

Sim*  %mo>  'Ovtodim  $  >oJd*nt  *? "2f  >  1  Lthat  c  ml§ht  to 

ii4uk;a+  nfpjnabf  fa$#**f  all,  that  the  toleration  of  errour 

y^^hjj'jjJotQvh  ayivTis^TbMeiv'i-  is  not  a  way  to  peace,  as  fome 

vbjj  y&TctKvov\a.< ;  Matt  .or  $  tets,  jjj  ta-  men  pretend,  but  to  diforder  and 

^y$Uifr»r<^rJxiw#t  *?Wa  conmflon.  And  yet  I  am  not  an 

X/,Tn<fy   Vu?M)jittV  EaxAMict  y.uiifiTcu,  <  c.  , 

Atban.  de  Syn.  Arim.  &  Seleuc.  enei?7  t(?  ^ce,  but  a  friend  to 

truth,and  holinels,without  which 
no  man  mall  fee  God. 

The  third  thing  that  herefies  eat  up  is  godlinejfe  ;  they  , 
devour  holinefle,  that  is,  the  power  of  it  :  thus  in  the 
verie  before  my  Text,  They  will  increafe  to  more  ungodlmeffe. 
Thus  the  Apoftles,  Teter,  ch.  2.2.  Jude,v.%,  defcribe 
the  hereticksof  their  time:  you  may  reade  the  places  at 
your  leafure.  Thus  Paul informes  the  %omaxs,  that  they 
thatcaufe  divijions,  caufe  fcandals,  andferve  not  the  Lord 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  1 5 

Jefits  Ch>  iff,  bm  their  own  billies.  An  erroneous  heretical! 
head,  and  an  upright  pious  heart  are  incompatible;  a 
good  confcience,  and  true  faith,  like  Hippocrates  twins, 
live  and  die  together.  m  Epiphanitu  obferves  m  u    r      ,      t     _  m 
concerning  theGnofticks  of  old,That  they  ^^^^ 
did  notonely  pervert  the  judgements  at  T5?,  iM     T J  actuary  xj 
their  profelytes,  but  brought  their  bodies  rob  4ux**  ^^dJla 
and  foules  into  flavery  of  fornication,  an-  v$*>  *5  **toqu%Ms  &c.  Lo- 
cleannefTe,  and  fuch  like  monttrous  abo-  cusinil§nis- 
minations.  But,  mannm  de  tabula^  I  forbear  :  It  would 
make  a  volume  to  relate  the  obligations  of  him  and  o- 
ther  Ancients  in  this  particular.  Our  Apoftle,  1  Urn. 
4. 1 .  faith,  The  Spirit  fpeakj  expujlj,  that  to  the  lasl  times 
men  {hall  depart  from  the  faith  -  &c.  and  2  Tim.  }.i  .fpeaks 
as  exprefly,  that  tht  last  times  Jhall  be  danger  opu  for  hor- 
rible widkednefles,       -men  JhdB  have  a  form  ofgodlineffe, 
and  deny  the  poiver  of  it :  It  may  be  fo  with  hereticks,  they 
may  have  a  fai re  out-fide  \  but  if  you  look  forupright- 
iiefie,  felf-deniall,  righteoufneffe,  peace,  joy  in  the  holy 
Ghoft,  in  which  the  kingdome  of  God  confifts,  you  fhall  finde 
none  of  thefe  J  they  have  a  form  of  godlinefie,  but  deny 
the  power  of  it.  This  "  Epipha-     _ .,  „  •      ,  ~  ft„ 

mus  notes  concerning  the Encra-  ^vi\:,.  >^v  n^ii*?A~lZ>^ 
titae,  Ihey  made  often tation  ot  ya^^oh^iovvywjauKZvivei^b^eh^ 
continence,  and  yet  converted  a-  ymauy^  nsdjflayttiv  Stii&miii  —  £J<y 
mongft  wonien  even  unto  fcandall;  ^  ^  ?c  V7iU  uM^'v  j  fifoo} 

they  were  not  indeed  fuch  as  they  gjj^  r  &  M*h*€«** 
defiredt'o  accounted.  O,  what  '  ' 
a  full  teftimony  is  given  to  this  truth  by  that  general!  a- 
poftacie  from  godlinefle  to  open  pf  ofaneneffe  of  marty  a- 
mongftoup  (elves  rmce  the"  unfetfrained  inundation  of 
our  err  ours  f  And  this  comes  to  pafle  (for  I  touch  upon 
the  caufe  in  tranjitts, ) 

i.  Partly ,becaufe  that  time  which  mrgh't  be  better  im- 
ployed  in  the  examination  of  the  confcience,  is  laid  out 
in  the  examination  6f  opinions  5  all  the  care  is  taken  up 
about  the  notJo^s'of'Ae  brahr, which  ougnt  to  have  been 

intended 


j  s  The  mifchiefe  which  Here ftes* doe  9 

intended  to  the  bettering  of  the  heart :  As  in  children 
that  have  the  rickats>  their  heads  fwell  and  grow  bigge, 
but  their  bodies  grow  crooked,  their  brefts  narrow,  their 
interiour  parts  feeble,  and  pine  away:  fo  perfons  infe- 
cted with  errours  (for  errours  are  the  rickets  of  children 
in  tmderftanding)  may  perhaps  have  great  heads,  and  be 
fomething  for  matter  of  difpute  5  but  their  hearts  are 
crooked,  their  affections  to  goodnefle  ftraightned,  them- 
felves  made  fo  weak,  as  not  to  be  able  to  goe  in  the  paths 
ofholinefle. 

2 .  Partly  becaufe  in  times  of  fuch  differences,  men  are 
for  the  moft  part  had  in  efteeme,  not  according  to  their 
godlineffe,  but  their  faction  :  Enquiry  is  not  made  con- 
cerning the  precifenefle  of  walking,  and  blamelefnefle  of 
converfation,  but  concerning  opinion  j  not, How  lives  ? 
but.  What  holds  fuch,or  fuch  a  man.?  As  0  Atkanafius 
0         x?  xe^« ,  g  w  concerning  the  Arians  to  their  follow- 

vfeX  r&voviJfY.ei  $  Ikmo  avi  <®&t  ers  :  Oppofe  Chri ft,  and  take  no  care 
oi/Ww  &c.  to  thy  manners,thy  opinion  fufficeth  to 

p  H'^^.^  And  p  Otf*jwa- 

mcnti:  at  fi  tibi  confenfent,  quern  fe-  i  r     .     r\      ^-a       j    1   r     1  . 

ducis,  unusconfenfrs  &man„sL  gain{r  the  P™*1^  declares  their 

porrettio  5  &  fauca  ve/ba  jam  tibi  ltrangc  partiality.  All  were  unto  them 

chriflhnum  faciimt  de  cbriftiano,  &  Pagans,  that  were  not  of  their  way  of 

We  vobis  videbitur  chriHianus  qui  feparation ;  but  if  any  one  confented 

jd^Mii^^ii.  to  them,  and  became  of  their  way,  hee 

knew  not  what  belonged  to  Chriftianity.  O  that  it  was 
not  fo  amongft  our  (elves  ?  that  not  faction,  but  faith 
was  the  bond  of  our  affections ;  not  fiding  with  parties, 
but  ferving  of  God  the  compafle  of  our  Chriftian  love  : 
certainly  opinions  would  not  fo  much  thrive,  nor  god- 
lineffe fo  much  decay.  And  fo  much  of  the  fecond  thing 
which  was  propofed,What  it  is  which  herefies,erroneous 
opinions  devour.  Now  of  the  third,  Why,  or  How  it 
comes  to  pafle  that  they  thus  {pread  and  devour,  Sec. 

The  fpreading  and  prevailing  of  herefies  may  be  a- 
fcribed  partly  to  the  frbtiltj  and  attivitj  of  feducers,  part- 
ly 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  1 7 

ly  to  the  curio fny  and  simplicity  or  the  (educed ;  partly  to 
the  jufttce  of  God,  tor  the  manifeflation  of  thole  that  are 
flncere,  and  the  punijhment  of  thofe  that  received  not  the 
truth  in  the  love  of  it :  Of  thefe  in  order. 

Firft,  The  prevailing  of  herelies  may  be  afcribed  to 
the  fubaltj  of  feducers.  Seducers  are  a  fubtill  generation, 
and  this  fubtilty  it  is  to  which  the  Apoftle  afcribes  their 
great  luccefle  ;  Sphef.  ^.  1  ^.  Children  are  tojfed  to  and  fro , 
and  carried  about  with  every  winde  of  doUrine  through  the 
fleight  of  men,  and  cunning  craftinejfe,  whereby  they  lie  tn  wait 
to  deceive.  The  Apoftle  in  three  words  exprefleth  their 
deceitfulneiTe :  \.  fleight,  m&ha,  they  are  cunning  game- 
fters,  know  how  to  cog  a  die,  and  pack  the  cards,  and 
q  pervert  Scripture  to  their  f  nifter  purpoles :  2.  Cunning  1  zancb.'mlcc 
craftineJfe9<v(WK§yicty  they  turn  every  ft  one,  watch  all  ad- 
vantages :  3 .  Lying  in  wait  to  deceive,  fiBof&a,  <aham3  they 
have  all  the  arts  of  couzenage  j  They  bring  in  damnable 
htrefies  privily »,  faith  Teter :  I  am  afraid,  (faith  S.  Taul)  2  Pet.i.  1. 
left*  as  the  Serpent  beguiled  Eve  through  his  fubtilty ,  fi  *Comi. 
your  mindes  fhould  be  corrupted  from  the  ftmplictty  that  is  in 
Chrifl.  Satan  arms  his  inftruments  with  his  own  arts, 
fraud,  and  couzenage ;  and  by  thefe  introduceth  errours, 
and  cheateth  men  of  faith,  peace,  *  Foseftuaucupes,  &illiautilt<efuntaves. 
piety,  r  Optatus  oblerved  this  of  Mivostucttpi  fimiles  dko,  qui  poft  difcejfum 
old  in  the  Donatifts,  whom  he  m&is,ante  lucis  advmum  —  aridamarbo- 
compares  to  fowlers,  that  with  rem  mllu  rafuibus^ 
exafteft  cunning  and  artmfnare  qJfuaj  jamdudum  fuccifa  pcrdtdem,*!'*- 
the  birds.  And  f  IfldorePeleufiota  nasaccipitfrmdes^&cAocusinGgnis.-- 
compares  hereticks  to  fifhermen,  Cont,  Parmen.  1.6.   f  Lib.i.Ep.102. 
that  conveigh  their  deadly  hooks  in  the  moft  pleafing 
baits.  The  Scriptures  and  Ancients  have  been  large  in 
oblerving  and  defcribing  thofe  impoftures,  by  which 
they  cheat  men  of  truth,  and  propagate  errours  5  but  it 
would  be  a  work  too  long  for  this  time  to  declare  them 
all :  I  fhall  by  your  favour  name  fbme  of  the  principall 
or  them,  becauie  they  are  pra&ifed  amongft  our  lelves  by 
fuch  as  draw  difeiples  after  them%  who,as  they  doe  but  rake 

D  up 


1 8  The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe^ 

!".-!••    -  "  1  U   '  . 

up  old  buried  errours  under  the  notion  of  new  light, 
new  truths  5  fo  they  walk  in  the  fame  fteps  with  their 
forefathers. 

Firft,They  ufe  fbphifticall  avgamtnts^argumeKta  tortn- 
ofa>  knotty  and  crooked  queftions,  by  which  they  puzzle 
and  infhare  the  iimple  :  of  this  the  Apofrle  gives  warn- 
ing. Take  heed  that  no  man  deceive  y  oh  y  (rv^ctf&yp,  i.e,  make 
a  prey  of  you,  through  Philofophy  or  vain  deceit.  TerttfHian 
Atupcm  ftmendi&deftruendi  verfipel-  againft  Hermogenes  obferves,  that 
lemjnfententw  ceattamjn  conjefturis  da-  Philofophers  were  the  Patriarchs  of 
/am,  m  arguments  opermam,  tnoleftam  hereticks  >  and  Sophillry,  the  great 
nlm^lp^mmartt^^mm^qmd  artifice  of  building  and  detfroying, 
omnino  tracfavcnt ,  De  prselcnpt.  adv.  c      .   .        .      0    .        0  V 
Q  &c  tneir  maine  engine.  Seducers 

have  not  learned  to  call  away  rcafonings,  and  every  high 
thing  that  exalteth  it  felf  againft  the  knowledge  ofCjod:  and 
whiles,  with  the  ancient  hereticks,  and  late  Socinians, 
they  meaftire  truths  with  the  line  of  their  own  intellect, 
andbeleeve  no  more  then  they  can  comprehend,  they 
make  (hipmack^  of  faith,  and  drown  others  in  their  o\vn 
deftru&ion.  How  many  were  of  old  made  to  ftagger  in 
that  fundamental!  point  of  the  eternall  Sonfhip  of  Jefts 
Chrift,  by  the  curious  inquiries  of  the  Arians,  recorded 
,      „  c     ;  ,    by  Epiphanita,  in  his  Treatife  a- 
Sf  reW^V^?' ft*  gainftthat  herefie,  which  I  will 
Swrfrt^^S^^i^,^-  "OtEnghfh,  that  I  may  not  be  a 
hccyK^;\^o^yi^A,na>^i/j-  Inare  in  this  icepticall  age  ?  How 
vSiv  fahalMtu  »  ewi&by,  many  were  taken  in  that  fenfelefle 

KTiVfAA  *$  >Ay>fA^  dttS  a*  &  h  rfcT  notion,  becaufe  it  was  new,  and 
■dieytira**  £&oiis[Aet,drf*Kaehffl  they  underftood  knot,  Heeis  a 
fl****  *  {,  fywu*.  «rt  «  *  v  ft  cix;atui^  but  not  as  one  of  the  o- 
A    r     J  ther  creatures  j  a  work,  but  not 

as  one  of  the  works ;  and  begotten,  but  not  as  others 
that  are  begotten  :  that,  denying  him  like  other  things 
begotten,  they  may  deny  his  naturall  generation;  de- 
nying him  a  creature  as  other  creatures  are,  they  may 
aflett  him  to  be  a  creature  >  So  farre  Epiphaniw. 
Why  doe  you  juggle ,  in  faying,  hee  is  a  creature , 

not 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  19 


not  as  one  of  the  creatures ;  hee  t  r*  nJ>  *     ~  •^•-Ju    *    ,  / 

fuffered  without  paflion  >  as  ir  a  ^        *1iV<u*  &  fa  ^^5- 

man  fhould  fpeak  without  fpeak-  tg>v  t  %r&Szv  dnctdat  —  y^cec/udp 

ing,or  underhand  without  under-  t^tt^nra^  von<re»^J  dvedrat  •  Athan. 

(landing,  faith  <  another  Father  ^^T'                  &  tom'  2' 

concerning  the  lame  and  other  he-  ^»        '    x  * 

reticks.    u  This  hath  been  their  u  MuUam  curam  germ  fucate  pbalcmvc^ 

conilantindeavour3with  pretences  b.m™>  * \™W>*  fyMfmorum ,  Bern. 

r        1        1  /•    ,  .n       r  m  Cant.  kr.  41. 

or  words,  and  iophiftry  or  argu- 
ments, to  colour  and  paint  their  horrid  opinions.  This 
is  that  which  Cyril  calls  *  «o*i>?ww  <pzpctM<r[j.if,  multiva-  *  De  a  dor.  in 
rious  impoftures,  y  w&v9&*w&  ikmSn  ivffa&lA ,  the  in-  Vir-  &  verit. 
ventions  of  many-times-pleated  femes,  equivocations,  y  jn^0^2 
amphibologies,  the  ftrength  and  garrifons  of  hereticks,     n   0  .2 
unto  which  they  retreat,  being  purfued  j  out  of  which 
they  ifliie,  to  fpoile  and  plunder  the  Church  of  faith, 
peace,and  godlinefle.  And  thus  much  of  the  hrft  branch 
of  that  fttbttlty  of  which  hereticks  make  ufe  to  fpread 
errours. 

Secondly,  They  ufe  new  and  ftrange  expreffions,  ex- 
preffions not  to  be  underftood  but  by  their  own  difciples. 
Thefe  the  Apoftle  (  according  to  Chryfoflome  and  other 
of  the  Ancients)  calls  yjvvqvwim,  new  language  h  and  a- 
gainit  thefe  arms  Timothy,  commanding  him  to  keep  the  1  Tim. 2. 16. 
form  of found  words  which  hee  had  heard  of  him :  This  hath  1  Tim'l'lS  • 
been  of  efpeciall  ufe  to  hereticks  in  the  primitive  Church, 
and  of  later  times ;  Thus  *  Hilary  of  the  Arians  in  his  *n  ™  g"  j^j" 
time ;  That  by  their  indiftinft  and  cenfufis  permixtifque  verbis  verimtmfre- 
confufed  expreffions  they  eluded  quentifftme  eludunt  y  &  'mcamorum  mm 
truth,  and  enfhared  their  unwary  eommmium  vocabulorm  forto  capmjif. 
aucUtours  by  the  ambiguity  of  *  Sic  verba  temperm,  fcordinem  vertunt, 
their  phrafes.    Thus  a  Hierome  &  ambigua  quaque  conc'mnant ,  ut  &  no^ 
concerning  the  Origenifts,  They  $rm>  &  adverftrmm  confeffioMm  ttne- 
fo  temper  their  words,   pervert  J** ^^bmtim,  atiur mholiwm- 
rheir  order,  mingle  ambiguities,    H*  ^  *' 
that  in  the  fame  fentence  they  utter  the  truth  and  erroun 
their  followers  undcrftand  one  thing,  and  ftrangers  an= 

D  2  other. 


2Q  The  mifchiefe  which  Hereftes  doe, 


ether.  Thus  they  prevail  with  many,  like  Gypfies,  cant- 
ing in  their  mother-tongue  ;  though  their  words  may 
be  underftood,  yet  not  their  meaning.  And  this  practice 
is  notably  defcribed  by  Calvin  againlt  the  Libertines.  But 
betides  this,  that  they  life  old  words  in  new  fenfes,  they 
have  another  practice,  to  coin  new  words,  new  exprel- 
lions  of  their  own,  which  none  can  understand,  fimple 
ones  admire  :  This  the  Apotilc  points  at,  2  Pet.  2. 18. 
They  fpeah^great  [welling  words  of  vanity^  and  under  thefe 
high  tireines,  and  fublime  notions,  introduce  fome  old, 
bafe,  often  confuted  herefies  5  which,  were  they  in  plain 
Englifhexprefled,  would  be  abhorred.  Thus  b  Epipba- 
x        ;     ,      mtu  affures  us  concerning  the  Valenti- 
b  p^.*^  }»^°\£.K  nians,  that  they  introduced  the  old 
fJ7e9^«  m*dm,$  M*-  heathen  fables  as  matters  of  faith,  only 
McttiatMiv  dtooiaotivlu        >$  fhadowed  them  under  fome  new  expref- 
<b<m>  clvloii  TTv&wMroMv&K  $Hm  lions  of  their  owne ;  and  of  the  Gno- 
CdtetM  ovopctlvTToiicLf,  Haer.3 1 .     fticks,  that  they  in  like  manner  deluded 
e  Kce*«<r/ *)  NaelaM,(07rai     'Eh-  their  followers.    Thus  c  Qjril  of  the 
hluiim        Tvlf  "emm*/  pa4«-  Neftorians  in  his  time,  cB  0  hoyQ-  £- 
MiiU,  Mjol  l^^\°2Zc  «w»k>  This  fpeech  is  not  to  be  under- 

«V  ™W  wn**\**  *fy*Z»'S>  i[ood'  1  ltand  not  to  Parallel  this  with 
Hseref.26.  1.  Dial.i.  the  practices  aniongft  our  felves,  but 

d  Eadw  nunc  in  vcteri,  <&  nova  ht-  pafle  froniit  with  d  Hieroms  obferva- 
refi  confuetudo  fervatur,  ut  almd  tion,  The  fame  cuftome  is  obferved  a- 
ppuli  audiant,  almd  pudicent  fa-  niongft  hemicks  of  former,  and  of  our 
ctrdotes,  Epift.  6  p.  own  times  5  the  old  Serpent  doth  a& 

his  old  wiles  over  again  j  the  Stage  is  new,  the  Tragedy 
the  fame  5  errours  difperfed,  faith,  peace,  and  godlinene 
fupplanted  by  the  fame  engines  amongft  us  as  in  former 
times. 

Thirdly,  They  ufefaire  pretences,  zn&gloriotis  fpeeches> 
Rom.  16.1 8.    as  the  Apoftle  obferves.  By  good  words  And  faire  fpeeches 
2  Pet.  2. 3.       they  deceive  the  hearts  of  the  fimple:  And  Teter,  Through 
covetottfnejfe  [hall  they  with  famed  words  (<nhdscK  ao^/?,  for- 
ged and  plaiftered  fpeeches)  make  merchandife  of  you.  This 
is  an  ufiiall  ftiiftj  they  parget  over  the  nakednefle  and 

deformity 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it. 


21 


def  ormity  of  their  opinions,reprefenting  fbmetimes  them 
as  the  wayes  of  God,  fbmetimes  themjelves  as  the  men 
of  God  •■>  and  thus  limple  people  (Ixion  like)  pro  Junone 
nubem>  imbrace  appearances  tor  verities ,  errours  for 
truth. 

i.  They  reprefent  their  opinions  as  the  wayes  of  God, 
the  fecrets  and  myiteries  ot  Chriir,  (but  John  calls  them 
fitffiti  th  IctlcLVAy  the  profound  deep  things  of  Satan  :)  and  6 
thus  they  are  as  a  (hare  on  Afiz,pah3  and  a  net  fpread  upon 
momt  Tabor.  Saint  Taul  oblerves,  that  the  worjhipping  of  Col.  1. 1 8.cum 
Angels^  and  fiich  other  kind  of  monkery,  Touch  not,  taste  2  3  • 

noty  handle  nots  were  all  perfwaded  under  fuch  faire  pre- 
tences ;  they  were  do&rines  of  humility,  doctrines  of 
mortification.  Sec.  But  in  the  mean  time ,  thele  falfe 
preachers,  pretenders  to  humility,  were  vainly  puft  up  in 
their  flefhl)  minde^  laid  hold  on  Angels,  but  held  not  the 
head^  &c.  In  the  17^  of  the  Revelation  the  whore  hath 
in  her  har.d a  golden  cup  full  of  abominations  and  filthinejfe ; 
the  cup  is  of  gold,  but  the  potion  is  of  the  rankeft  poi- 
fbn  :  ex^#.  1 5.  Circumcijton,  and  obfervation  of  the  law  is  Gal.y. 
pretended  the  way  to  falvation,  though  iii  truth  it  cut 
efffrqn  Chrifi  in  the  notion  under  which  it  was  obtru- 
ded ;  and,  at  beft,  did  nothing  availe  unto  that  purpofe 
which  was  pretended  :  This  hath  been  the  practice  of 
hereticks,  as  in  the  Apoftles  times,  Co  in  after  ages.  This 
e  Salvian  obierves  concerning  the  Arians,  and  in  gene-  De  guber.  Dei 
rail,  all  hereticks;  but  his  pafTage  is  too  long  to  beh*M« 
tranfcribed.  Thus  alfo  f  Cyril,  .  t.  *  *     ~        »  9* 

As  (trumpets  paint  their  faces,  « &y<&^\ 

and  adorne  their  bodies  m  great-  favoUs  aw'i&v  oio^cu  tixv<us  a&t- 
eft  bravery,  to  hide  the  filth  i-  fs7«i' ^7S,    %ytid£&leu ,  $ 
nefle  of  their  practices ,  and  in-  ™         &&&»ksu*  l^^i'mUiiuj  rm 
fnare  by  their  neatneffe  :    fo  ^^i^Sr^^!^J^^ 
hereticks   fhadow  their  deftru- 

dive  opinion?  with  the  beauti-  Tifrfy  3  &  T07$*  tva 

mil  veile  ofgodlinefle,  and  their  *faw&tt&&  tiy>K>  Praefar, 

errours  with  the  flowers  of  truth.  ^  Tbcfaur. 

They 


2  2  The  mi  [chief e  which  Herefies  doe, 

%  'Eoi'^w         8  ™  W  Wfi-  s  They  are  in  this -like  our  Apothe- 

km     mJW/     >Ai/xu  &Q<mhAKMffi  caries,  they  gild  their  pils,and  make 

7m    xfiir*  vroMuli  n  <mwKo-  their  potions  fiveet,  they  make  them 

T^^T^Ttu)^/?  ^^MoF,«f,  pkafanttothe  eye,  and  delightfull 

C*.  Cyril.  Epift.  ad  Vaiernh.  ^  thc  ufte  .   ^  ^  they  ^ 

fuch  a  medicine,  as  (not  being  immediatly  caft  out)  will 
give  the  patient  fuch  a  purge  as  will  clear  him  of  faith, 
and  peaceableneffe,  and  prevent  for  the  future  all  danger 
of  furfeting  from  the  power  of  godlineflfe.  It  is  no  new 
thing,  that  opinions  of  no  value,  if  not  damnable,  are 
vended,  and  prevaile  under  the  notions  of  free  grace,  or 
Chriflian  liberty,  Chrifi  exalted,  the  kingdome  of  Chrift,  the 
Church  itf^and  the  like  commendations:  no  way  is  more 
11  Plutarch,  in  effe&uall  to  ingage  jmbracement.  h  Numa  PomfiUus  pre- 
vit.  tends  the  teaching  of  the  Nymph  <ty£geria  for  his  new 

1  Turk.Hift.  religion  j  and  >  Mahomet,  that  grand  impoflor,  if  you 
will  beleeve  him,  learned  his  Alcoran  from  the  Angel 
R  Athan.qu.sd  Gabriel.  The  k  Divell  was  the  firft  that  ev^r  mentioned 
Anu<M$.  Up0n  earth,  and  that  in  his  temptation,  when  hee 

was  a&ing  againft  God  :  And  (hall  it  feem  ftrange,  that 
,   ,  ,  ,  /  there  are  amongft  us  fome,not  Chri- 

^rSSi^fl  ftians,  but  fellers  of Chrift,vain  talk- 
<xmy  <&A<piej»%  t*  ovtpA  Xet5-«  ers,ioule-deceivers,  that  in  treachery 
—  Kcu  tov  \fo  tB&(mxvtov\i$  <?  ^Aet*  pretend  the  name  of  Chrift ;  that 
vm  tm  yhWH*  G&Mv>ai&  >  u<ms$  (peak  of  Chrift,  not  that  they  may 
hvo^t  ^vmv  ^vv^  —       preach  Chrift,  but  that  by  their 

7r*x&fr«fcWir,  Ad  Trail  preaching  they  may  make  Chrift  of 
}eaf.  noneertect,  as  was  of  old  the  com- 

plaint of  holy  i  Ignatius  ?  It  is  ufuall  with  mounte- 
banks to  proclaim  the  vermes  of  their  oyles,  falves,  re- 
ceipts, Sec.  multitudes  are  drawne  together,  and  fools 
buy.  It  is  the  practice  of  falfe  teachers,  by  crying  up  the 
holinefle  and  excellency  of  their  do&rine,  to  caufe  many 
to  flock  together,  and  to  deceive  the  hems  of  the  Jimple. 
s  2 .  They  reprefent  themfelves  teachers,  followers,  all,  un- 
der the  notion  of  the  moft  godly,  holy,  humble,  faints,  men 
asfrecions  as  any  the  earth  beares,  as  mbiafed  as  my  at  any 

time 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  2  3 

time  Ukely  to  be  on  the  face  of  the  earth  j  a  ftrong  induce- 
ment (efpecially  iF  there  be  any  Ihcw  of  holinehe  in  their 
converfation)  to  perfwade  fimple  and  well-meaning  men 
into  an  approbation  of  their  opinions.   Ey  fuch  deed-  ^ 
vable  pretences  the  Pharifees  got  fuch  intereft  in  the  Z  TW'TW' 
hearts  of  the  people,  that  they  were  quickly  credited  in  £La  ^  ^J. 
whatever  they  fpake,  though  again  ft  King,  or  Priell,  as  Sh]  \U  *j  >£i 
faith  ni  Jofephtu.  In  thedayes  of  the  Apoflles  there  were  6**i*Atas  tj 
fomethat  n  faid  they  were  Jewes,  avdwere  not,  but  upon  ^^;;r 
triall  were  found  Itars.     The  mir.tfters  of  Satan  were  *5^'2^3-cV" 
transformed  as  the  ministers  of  rightecufnefje  ;  and  how  AntiqJiuLLj! 
they  prevailed,  and  what  their  pretences  were  maybe  n  R^v.2.2. 
conjectured  by  the  great  paines  which  the  Apoftle  takes 
to  vindicate  himfelfe  and  his  miniftery  from  their  afper- 
fions,  1  Cor.  9.  ^  Cor.  11.   They  were  not  inferiour  to 
thechiefe  Apoftles,  would  have  no  pay,  (Doe  you  not 
heare  the  language  of  our  Se&aries  ?  )  they  would 
preach  freely,  would  not  be  burdenfome,  Sec.  \Vere  not 
thefe  lingular  men  ?    Doubtleffe  they  did  not  want 
followers  amongft  fiich  as  would  ferve  God  with  that 
which  coft  them  nothing  :  But  the  Apoftle  affures  us, 
they  were  deceitfnll  workers ,  and  their  end  would  be  accor- 
ding tv  their  work**    Such  as  thefe  of  old  were  the  Do- 
nates, of  whom  o  Qfh&m  They  9  Contr.  Parmen.  Me  ovMcontcgl 
covered  themf elves  in  fheeps  cloath-  va3  ut,  fi  fieri  potefiy  p/i/ls  te  ovis  mor- 
ing,  they  were  not  difcerned  to  be  dentem  fentiat,  quxm  prsfwUM  venkn- 
wolves,  till  their  fangs  were  felt.       -?  Lib.  1. 
No  age  hath  afforded  hereticks  whole  ring-leaders 
have  not  pretended  to  extraordinary  godlinefle.    It  is 
well  known  to  thole  that  are  verted  in  the  writings  of 
the  Ancients,  what  is  left  recorded  concerning  Apo&i- 
fiaru^  'PhotintU)  T^eftorisa,  and  others,  the  fubilance  of 
which  you  may  fmde  in  P  Vmcentim  Lvrinenfis  5  what  p  Cont.  haeref* 
of  9  Pelagius,  what  of  r  sArminitu  by  Berthu,  what  of  c-16- 
Soctnus :  but,  topaffeover  all  thefe  in  filence,  I  (hall  \^f'x  /Hift' 
inftance  onely  in  Arins^  that  grand  impugner  of  the  ,  OratJflabfc 
Deity  ofChrift,  and  impudent  boafter,  out  of  whofe  ante  opera  Ar- 

Thaleia  min. 


24  The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doey 

Thaleia  f  *Athanafitt$  relates  thefe  vaine  boaftings  :  * 
fKctTcimwZHtey^eAy^iWea,  have  received  my  doctrine  from 
craiJW  dyiav ,  of QoTopuv ,  lyiov  05»  the  ele&  of  God,  men  that  knew 
wv&'f/d.  faCbvlav,  t<a  5  fy&Sov  Zyayi  God  ,  holy  men  of  God,  mch  as 
arwm  $*x<>rrm  knew  how  to  divide  the  word  of 

^^5^"^Zr/le>LT1 1  God  aright,  that  had  received  the 
eMfc  o  <s™m*  ts&Uv  «Ti*  tIu!  0i»  annointmg  of  the  fpirit ;  of  thefe 
M%aMy<sBtfTi  05«  ^*9ar  oi^isu*  a}  ^Sjw  I  have  received,in  their  fteps  I  have 
hyi%p*n'&c.  Orat.a.conr. Anan.       walked,  and  for  this  truth  have 
fuffered  many  things.    Surely,  this  is  a  plaufible  in- 
ducement ;  words  are  efteemed  according  to  the  eftimate 
.    .  .  f     .,  r.     of  the  fpeaker.  t  Tertullian  obferves 

'  Sr°lCXt  fL7fZl''ZisSift7  it  of  certain  wonderers,  that  they 
perform  ab  bitreji  captis,  aaiflca/i  m  rui-  -     ,  i     ■  7 

U ;  ^«.i/e  w  /  ilk  fidetijim,  pm-  were  edihed  into  err  our  by  the  ex- 
dentijjtmi,  &  ufitatijfimi  in  Eccle/ia  in  il-  ample  of  others,  men  of  name  and 
Urn  partem  tranfierunt ,  De  Prxfcript.  note  for  wifdome ,  knowledge , 
contr.Hsret.  ca;.j.  ufefulnefle  in  the  Church,  that 

had  fallen  into  herefie  :  If  this  or  that  were  not  the 
truth,  the  way  of  God ;  how  comes  it  to  pafle,  that  hee, 
or  fhee,  men  a  man,  and  fiich  a  man  of  fuch  eminent 
parts,  gifts,profelfion,  mould  be  fo  mif-led  ?  But,lhould 
we  judge  of  faith  by  perfons  ?  or  mould  wee  not  rather 
judge  of  perfons  by  faith  ?  Tis  poffible  for  Ntcolas  to 
become ,  not  onejy  an  heretick ,  but  a  ring-leader  of  a 
feftj  'tis  polTible  for  one  to  com?,  and  fay,  lamChrift; 
'tis  polTible  for  Simon  Magm  to  profefie  himfelfe  the 
great  power  of  (jod^  but  mould  all  the  city  give  heed 
K  f  -      n     ,        n       to  him  ?  'tis  poffible  for  u  Mon- 

%ri  <*gbCvt,  a>x'  \y<»  Kuec*  o  0s-  no  Embaiiadour,  but  the  Comforter 
Is  Uttlk  W3">  Epiphan.  Iz;  tom.i.  himfelf ;  mould  a  Tertattian  be  fedu- 
contr.  Cataphry.  ced  >  'Tis  a  great  temptation,  when 

men  that  fall  into  errour,  are  in  name  for  godlinefle': 
'tis  a  greater,when  men  of  ftri&  life(as  in  old  times)  fall 
into  errour.  If  we  will  not  be  mif-led,  let  us  remember 
the  Apoftles  charge ;  If  wee  ;  not  one,  but  the  Colledge 
of  Apoftles  >  not  men3  but  if  an  Angel  from  heaven  jhall 

teach 


and  the  means  to  fr  event  it. 


teach  any  other  dollrine,  let  htm  be  accursed.  Whatever  their 
pretences  be,  x  they  are  of  their  father  the  Divell,  who,  1  D'Mi  filii 
by  feducing  men  from  the  Church  of  Chrift,  deftroy  f«»'rfw homines 
them.    I  have  been  the  longer  upon  this  point,  becaufe  ubR"kllxW"; 
it  neerly  concerns  our  felves,  amongft  whom  a  party  is  m  Au*conr. 
ilfen  up  that  monopolized!  piety,  pretendeth  to  tran-  lit.Petih  lib.z. 
fcendent  holinefle ;  under  which  (hew  many  are  miPled,  c.  1 3. 
many  muzzled,  as  not  willing  to  oppole  againft  (as  they 
call  themfelves)  the  godly  party. 

Fourthly,  They  ufe  vain- glorious  boaflings,  proclaim- 
ing the  excellency  and  eminency  of  their  knowledge, 
and  abilities  above  other  men.  The  former  fair  (peeches 
were  but  groundlefle  bragges,  their  opinions  and  con- 
ventions are  farre  fhoit  of  (if  not  contrary  to)  that 
holineffe  they  profefle ;  but  in  this  that  I  now  (peak  of, 
their  boafting  hath  been  notorious ,  as  if  with  them 
ivifdome  began  to  live,  and  mould  die  with  them  h  as 
UWaximtffa  the  prophetefle  of  the  Montaniits  in  Epi- 
phanius,  y  Ms?  i/ue  <zz^mtk  vk  'hi  i?<u3  <*M*  eiwlktetct.    As  y  Haref.47. 
the  affe&ing  of  wifdome  above  what  is  written,  and  a  bold  Col.a.i  8. 
intrufion  into  things  they  have  not  (een,  hath  caufed 
many  to  fall  from  the  truth  to  errour  5  Co  the  frofejfion  of  1  Tim.6.11. 
knowledge  (as  the  Apoftle)  falfelj  fo  called,  and  the  having 
of  the  gifts  and  perfbns  of  men  in  admiration,  hath  iCor.4.8. 
drawne  many  to  follow  their  pernicious  waves  :  z  £r-  *  Vincent.Li- 
ror  magislri  tentatio  difcipnli ,  if  the  mafter  falls ,  the  rinenC 
fcholar  (tumbles.   Indeed,  men  of  parts  ufually  broach 
errours,  (the  divell  makes  ufe  of  the  Serpent,  not  of 
the  Afle,  in  (educing  into  herefie)  as  being  the  fitted: 
inftruments  to  ftagger  the  Church.   Corah,  Dathan0 
and  Ab'rram  died  not  alone  in  their  tranfgreffion  \  they 
ivere  Princes  of  the  Congregation.    But  if  any  man 
(hall  become  a  Dogmatist ,  an  aflerter  of  ftrange  and 
new  opinions ,  hee  (hall  be  cried  up  by  his  followers 
as  a  man  of  parts,  that  they  may  feem  to  be  mad  with 
reafon.    This  conceit  that  they  knew  and  taught 
fomething  which  other  men  neither  knew  nor  taught, 

E  procured 


26 


The  mifchiefe  which  Hereftes  doe^ 


*  To  onfy  r't  Mat  t&vZvy  >y  h-iyfv  r  procured  fcholars  to  feducers  of 
Jteav  %TvppnToTie?v> De  Trin.Dial.x.  old,  as  faith  *  Cyril  The  follow- 
b  *Ha^  'iffAp  o\  hfyanoiy  cl  J  *  too/  ers  of  Bafdtdes  in  b  Epiphanius  pro- 
WA*  S^,g  xuwfefc  Hiref.24.  fefled thenilelves  onelytobe  men, 

c  Huron,  in  all  others  dogs  and  (wine.  c  Semper  fe  fare  ah  tor  4  jattitant, 
Hof.  5.  in~Ecclefi<z  contumeliam  debacchantur  (they  boaft  al- 

waics  of  their  own  fublime  and  abftrufe  fpeculat  ions,  in 
comparifon  of  which  others  are  blind)  is  the  obfervati- 
011  of  Hierome.  I  will  conclude  this  with  that  of  d  Na- 
a      1  %i,  v    *  - ,    -    >     «  »  *    *'"*»*f»*,concerniiig  the  boaftings 
^/Sr^fcTJ,^  ofEr«^;  Beit|ranted(faifh 
•  &  dftfoap  dx&Ak*  *  fip  neejieemg  you  will  have  it  fo,that 
'hk'uw ^T&fffiQ-' 9  £  0  p$  MavYtA  y on  area  fublime  man,  andtran- 
0jo^i«  ig/«^V©-,  ^  ^  n*CAov  «-  fend  fublimity ,  a  beholder  of 
S^L? %^ST^S^  tllin§s  that  no  man elfe fees,  an 
cfori^WHf /wV2^/r,eSre.Orat.3j.      hcarer  of  things  whlch  Jt  1S  n°t 

lawful  1  to  litter ;  after  you 
have  been  rapt  up  in  a  fiery  chariot  }  after  Mofes^  you 
have  (een  the  face  of  God after  Paul,  you  have  been  ta- 
ken into  the  third  heavens  j  but  why  forge  you  faints  in 
one  day,  make  them  minifters,  infpire  them  with  learn- 
ing, &c.  i  This  is  not  peculiar  to  the  Eunomians  5  I 
would  we  had  not  fome  amongft  our  (elves  as  vain-boaft- 
ei*s,  and  pretenders  to  knowledge ,  that  have,  in  their 
own  conceit,  more  skill  in  the  myftery  of  Chrift  then 
e  Teitul-  dc  the  Apoftles,  with  the  old  hereticks  :  e  Solent  dicer e,  non 

praefcr.  comr.  omnia  ApoSlolos  ftijfe,  non  omnia  omnibus  tradidijje,  in 

ha?r.  c.  z  1 .  Htro  fa  Chrifum  reprthenfioni  fubjickntes^&c.  The  Apoftles 
fTe  fautores  tui  Ilot  a^  things,  taught  not  all  things  to  all  men  (as 
difertiorem  De«  tnev  %0  m  k°tn  which  they  calumniate  Chrift.  f  The 
irofthtne,  acu*  favourers  of  John  of  Jerufalemwere  bold  to  affert^that  he 
tiorem  Chryfip-  was  more  eloquent  then  Demofthenes,  acute  then  Chryfip- 
yoMimtimm  pmyWi£c  then  Plato,  &c.  The  Papifts  adorn  fome  of  their 
teXnt&c!t  School-men,  Doftors,  with  the  titles  Angelica^  Seraphi- 
rift.  61.  ad  c*8>  IUaminate ,  Irrefragable,  %efoltster>  Subtile ,  and  fuch 
Pammach.  like.  The  Jefuttj  prevaile  mightily  by  their  impudency 
s  Deftratagem.  in  boafting,  as  g  Alphonfas  de  Vargas  declares  concerning 
Jefukarum.  "  t^m . 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it. 

theni :  The  Se&aries  amongft  us,  if  they  doe  it  not  in  i- 
mitation  of  fuch  worthy  prelidents.,  yet  walk  ill  the  fame 
fteps  j  their  mifleaders  are  with  them  heavenly  men,  fpi- 
rituati  teachers,  the  preachers  of  GofpeUtruths  9  NewTe- 
ftament-fpirits,  men  of  admirable  parts,  though  fome  of 
them  but  of  late  commenced  from  theTailors  mop-board, 
or  the  Coolers  flail  to  the  miniftery ;  men  of  as  great  abi- 
lities as  thofe  teachers  of  the  law,  of  whom  the  Apoftle, 
Not  underftanding  what  they  fay^  nor  whereof  they  affirme. 
But  fo  much  of  this  fourth  point. 

Fifthly,  They  ufe  fubtilty  in  concealing  their  opinions, 
fave  onely  from  their  profelites,  to  whom  they  difcover 
them  in  party  and  with  a  referve  of  changing  upon  far- 
ther inquiry  or  more  advantage.  This  was  of  old  the  pra- 
ctice of  BafiUdes  in  h  Epiphanim ,  hee  „  Hxref<24f  MUuA  $ 
concealed  his  opinions  from  luch  as  fiK'm     <%F  v*v  l^hvluv, 
were  able  to  examine  them,  men  that  *vV7«  5  ™  lum  ^oah3   to?*  «V 
\\zdthetrfenfesexercifed  to  difcern  between  «™  WM^o/f-  * 
things  that  differ ;  but  made  them  known  to  thole  whom 
hee  had  {educed ,  unto  whom  alfo  hee  gave  in  charge, 
s  That  they  mould  conceale  thele  .    ,      ^  ,      -A  m 
things  amongft  delves,  and  ^J^*^^ 
not  reveal  them  favmg  to  one  of  a  iavlols,  m  H  am  x'^m  Swc^tf*^, 
thoufand,  and  two  of  ten  thou-  xj  Jiwiv  am  pudm*  ^  -Cmrl^n^  tok 
fand:  that  they  mould  know  all  ^  tMa*ajAywr,  cti  v^  ndvT* 
things,  all  men  5  but  that  no  man                       *****  V™™™, 
mould  know  them ,  or  what  they  ,l 
hold.  It  was  long  before  the  Arians  difcovered  their  ma- 
Ike  againft  the  Deity  of  the  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  ;  their 
quarrcU  (as  they  pretended)  was  onely  againft  the  word 
ejus?/©-,  as  k  Hierome  relates,"  (I  pray  God  others,  from  k  Epift.rfi.'ad 
whom  no  requefts  or  engagements  can  draw  amodell  of  Pammach. 
their  opinions,  nihil montlri  alant,  be  not  hatching  fome 
hateftill  monfter :)  and  when  they  had  difcovered  it,  they 
were  all  upon  uncertainties,  ever  waiting  for  new  light, 
1  i/lnnuat  at  que  men  fir  fi  as  fides  decermmu*  ,  they  had  j  HiKadCon- 
every  yeer ,  every  moncth  a  new  confefllon,  as  Hilary :  fane. 

E  2  m  They 


*8 


The  mifchiefe  which  Here  fie  s  doe, 


■  m  They  ^ many  and diverfeal- 

Ce?.A-  TZBwraxttCfMS  pi\*€ofasSX«o-  terations,  being  ready  to  change  as 
satis  £v  ol  Cum  iu&*t&'0i>  ^  xppiyvvw,  often  as  they  could  obtaine  any  to 
De  Synod.  Arim.  &  Seleuc.  njre  them,any  to  hear  them,any  to 

lead  them  :  they  could  change  their  opinions  as  often  as 
they  could  get  cutloniers  for  new  ones.    Thus  n Bajil 
w  ,    aflures  us5  that  they  did  all  things  for 

**OvU*iA  trim-    hd  QWn  profit  and  advantage,  chaii- 

f  fe/rf^U/,^/^:^  gin£>  a,ld  rechangmg,  and  profiling 
oi  c607ri  7?  7b  02k  **e*rl/,  <mfi\  a  liberty  of  future  changing ;  a  courfe 
t£x  lj.vTd.CchM  nr&yy.<LTav  moit  contrary  to  the  truth  of  God, 
(?vj*PnWwty,  Bpift-7  (Faith  is  but  one)  to  the  ltabilitie  in  the 

truth  required  in  beleevers,  Cclojf.  2.  and  the  manner  of 
the  orthodox,  who,  though  never  fo  low  and  little  esteem- 
ed in  the  eyes  of  men,  yet  were  al waves  the  fame,  and 
confented  not  to  fuch  changes  and  alterations.  As  the 
Foljpus  hunts  fifhes,and  takes  them  by  the  often  changing 
of  his  colour;  fo  hereticks  hunt  and  take  unftable  fouls  by 
she  concealing  of  themfelves,  and  profefled  unfetlednene 
in  their  tenents.  Though  much  more  might  be  faid  of  the 
fubttlty  of  hereticks,  in  calumniating  the  truth,flandering 
the  profellbrs  of  it,  mingling  truth  with  errour  ;  yet  let 
this  mffice  for  the  prefent. 

The  fecond  means  by  which  hereticks  divulge  their 
errours,  is  their  Indufirj  or  Diligence  ;  they  are  ^aua§ycii 
not  onely  fubtill,  but  indultrious  workers:  As  Sa- 
x  Pet.  tmgeeth  up  and  downe  like  a  roaring  lion  feeing  whom  bee 

may  devour  5  fo  thele,  with  the  <Phari/ees9  would  ccm- 
Miuh.23.  pajfe  fea  and  land  to  make  one  profelj/te,  creep  into  koufes 
toleade  capthe  fiHyvtomen  :  in  this,  like  hunters,  or  fi- 
tters, whole  labour  is  their  pleafure,  if  they  can  take 
their  prey ; 

Ut  jugulent  homines  furgunt  de  notte*  ■  * 
There  is  a  ftrange  activity  in  thefemen  for  the  reread- 
ing of  errours :  in  men  did  I  fay  >  nay  in  women;  the 
woman  Jezebel  taught  and  [educed  the  fervants  of  God, 
It  is  the  obfervation  of  TertuRian  in  his  time ,  That 

their 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  29 


their  women  were  audacious  even  to  ipf*  tHulkn$y  quam  peaces  funt , 

admiration,  they  dared  to  preach,  to  f«™dem  cohere,  & 

di'pute,  yeaPoiIibly5tobaptife.  And  ^/WW  Depfeft 

this  amongittonie  of  them,  not  by  in-  '£^cW  r«       *Vro7<  yv,>£- 

trft/ioH,biit  by  per  mijfion  and  approbation;  kzs  ,  $  &pe€ifot&t  yiwaka  3  *) 

women  were  Btfhops,  woxnzn  Elders  >  to.  *W«  Epi^han.  cie  Pepwian. 

women  in  all  other  ofiices.   Satan  ha-  haer^-49. 

ving  found  the  ulefulnene  of  that  lexe  for  feducUon, 

upon  all  occafions  makes  ufe  of  them.    ApeKes  diiperled  Tertull. 

his  herefie  by  the  help  of  a  woman,  Phjlumene  :   tJMon*  Epiph.  hacr..^  8. 

tanus  difperfeth  his  by  the  help  of  Prifcilla  and  Afaxi-* 

milla%  two  women  :  And  have  not  wee  made  fome  pro- 

grefle,  and  grown  up  to  fome  height  in  this  hereticall 

praftice  ?    Doe  not  women,  whom  the  Apoltle  permits 

not  to  /peak,  in  the  Church,  but  to  be  in  filence^  (tranlgrefling 

this  Apoftolicall  precept ,  and  forgetting  the  modeily 

and  weaknefle  of  their  fexe)  prefume  to  preach,and  vent 

their  braine-fick  fancies  ?    But  I  paffe  over  this  fhame. 

Optatns  could  not  keep  filence  t,c  veH/ls  fare  qw  pofflt  ?  DeiUlsquai 

concerning  the  activity  of  fuch  ant  fattione,  ant  fubtihtate,  ut  ve(tm  face- 

men  and  women,  whom  fraud  or  nth ,  fedaare  potuisiis  5  non  foliim  mafculi, 

&ftion  had  adjoyned  to  the  Do-  M  ttim  f<*mi™  >  /'  ,0V1^  fi®  ft** 

narift*  in  feducinff  and  oerveitinff  ml?eS>  V  p0P  quod  ad  ws  dd*?fl  f™t, 
natiits,  m  latticing  ana  pervei  ting  m  M  ^  dolm  alm  m  jg  ^  mif^ 

others  into  their  own  errours  and  bm  $m€S  in  [apfus  fim  lnvimt  J &Ct 
fchifme.  Aihanafitu  tels  us  what  Conr.'Parmen.U.  Vide, 
ufe  the  Arians  made  of  women,  tfXQV  ^^^ikU  yiwzuKfo 
to  ingratiate  them  with  Princes  dgaaiv  — —  vh  <&A<riv  faa*  <poC?&i, 
and  great  men,  whole  favour  is  Epift.  ad  Solitar.  'Af^orrav  ^a^ov 
moft  deiirable  to  them,  as  being  r^°/^f"  j^8  8  «W 

moft  advantagious  to  their  perfons  ^onaVi  '  1  • 
and  wayes.  But  enough  of  this.  Experience  teacheth, 
that  when  men  Jleep,  the  enemie  comes ,  and  forces  tares  a- 
mong  the  wheat, and goeth  his  way  undifcerned.  The  harlots 
feet  abide  not  in  her  houfe  ;  now  Jhee  is  without  ,  now  in  the 
flreetSy  and  lieth  in  wait  at  every  corner  :  Such  is  the  dili- 
gence of  Sectaries. 

The  fecond  generall  head,  giving  fuch  fuccene  to  he- 

relies, 


jo  The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doey 

refies,and  erroneous  opinions,  is  ofin  from  the  people, 
the  perfons  that  are  feduced  :  The  prince  of  this  world 
comes  and  findes  foruething  in  them.  The  making  of 
the  glaffe  may  raife  fome  froth  in  the  water,  but  no  tilth, 
if  there  be  not  mud  in  the  bottome.  Difeafes  prove  in- 
fectious by  reafonof  the  dyfirajy  of  our  inward  tempe- 
rature .  People  are  made  obnoxious  to  (eduction  by 
two  things  h  tkeir  fimpltcitjy  and  curio jity  ;  Of  which 
briefly. 

Firft,  The  fimplicity^  ignorance^  ungroundednejfe  of  the 
people  affords  great  advantage  to  feducers.  Where  the 
foundation  is  not  well  laid,  the  building  cannot  ftand 
long,  though  not  medled  with ;  but  will  prefently  fall, 
if  the  leaft  violence  be  ufed  :  A  people  uncatechiied  in 
the  principles  of  religion,  are  a  facile  and  obvious  prey 
to  falfe  teachers.  This  the  Apoftle  hath  an  eye  to,  Cbil- 
Ephef.4.14.     dren  are  eafily  tojfed  to  and  fio  mth  every  winde  ofdo&rine ; 

as  a  fhip  on  the  leas,  not  having  fufficient  balaft,  is  dri- 
ven with  every  winde,and  in  danger  of  being  overturned 
Pxov.14.1j.    with  every  wave.    The  Jimple  beleeveth  every  word  (faith 
Solomon,  )  but  the  prudent  lco\eth  well  to  his  going.  Ikey 
2  Tim. 3.6.     lead  captive  JiBy  women,  laden  with  divers  lufls,  ever  learn* 
i*g,  but  severable  to  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Se- 
ducers  are  furnifhed  with  (nbtilty  to  deceive,  and  people 
prepared,  through  fimplicity,  to  be  deceived;  and  from 
fimpltcity  it  is,  that  fubtilty  prevailes.    Befides,  that  the 
Scripture  doth  ordinarily  point  out  ignorant  and  un- 
grounded men  the  object  of  feduction,  it  is  obferved  by 
0  Htrefesapudeosmdtumvalentqui  in  the  Ancients  ;  o  That  herefies  are 
fide  nan  vdm)  — de  quorundam  infirmi-  ftrong  where  knowledge  is  weak,and 
tatibiisbabentquodvalent,  nihil  valentcs  prevail  not  fo  much  by  their  own 

^rtTf^WMW^^J  DC  ftren£th'  as  by  theweaknefleofthe 

VSifpTf^  adverfary:  p  That  all  their "knotty 

yum  indoilos  decipere  potefi&utus  auditor  arguments,and  glozing  fpeeches  may 

&  lector  citb  deprebendet  infidks,  &  cu~  haply  deceive  the  unlearned  and  i- 

nkulos,  quibiis  Veritas  [ubvertitur,  aperte  m10rant,but  a  prudent  and  waxy  hea- 

inlu«dtmmfrateJZ\no^  Pammac.  ^ eafiiy  difclll thcir  fophiftiy, 

p  it'  l-  and 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  3 ! 

and  difcovcr  the  fraud  by  which  they  endeavour  to  under- 
mine the  truth.  Hereticall  arguments  are  but  bare  preten- 
ces^! this  reicmbling  the  fptders  cob-web^  that  they  are  tit 
to  hold  the  weaker  Chriftians,whilefc  the  monger  break 
away,  and  fave  themfelves.  And  let  this  coniideration  Hay 
us,  that  wee  ftumble  not ;  and  feducers,  that  they  triumph 
not  in  the  great  defection  unto  lever  all  opinions  now  a- 
mongft  us.  They  havedeceived  <i  chit-  q  T,  Tc~.  ei&r^ot<  t^Mlv  ivh<y. 
dren^  Bgregtam  laudem  ;  and  wee  ^T^dLSSwcfe^Naiian.o^  $$. 
have  loft  r  chafe,  SpolU  ampla.-  what  r  oft  c\  ^kui7„  T£ 

great  prize,  that  a  mimbling-block  ^V«,  vK&vceufyoi  *  <tu>>U<jiv,  a  >6 
hath  been  laid  before  a  blindeman,  kn^>^oj3  c?  7?  *zr*V«  gwVx*1'0^ 
and  hee  hath  Humbled  at  it  >  Cer-  *K     toiZtok  vw*<riev»i*H£n<rar9 
tainly,  fuch  are  they,  even  children,  Athan.  de  incarnat.  Chrift. 
many  in  yeers,  molt  in  underftanding,  that,amongft  us, 
are  perverted  by  new  opinions. 

Secondly,  The  curiofity  of  the  people  adminifters  no 
fmall  advantage  to  feducers.    Men  are  not  content  with 
found doftrine,  and  old  truths^  but,as  the  Atfaniansfytnd  Ad.17.2r. 
their  time  to  tell  or  to  heare  fome  new  thing  :  men  that  have 

itching  ears  heap  to  themfelves .  teachers  after  their  own  z  Tim,^  ,4. 

lufls^andturn  away  their  ears  from  the  truth, and  are  turned  to 

(faith  S.Paul.)  To  be  alwayes  learning^  that  which  2.  Tinj.j.^. 
betrayes /illy  women  to  be  led  captive  by  feducers :  And 
the  Apoftle  Peter  tels  us,  that  not  onely  by  the  lufts  of 
the  fle(h,but  much  rvantonneffe  (wantonnefle  of  the  brain) 
they  that  were  clean  efapedfrom  them  that  live  in  err  our,  are  2  Vet.  2.18. 
allured.  It  is  a  notable  exprellion  of  r    .     t,      ,       r      ,  ,  , 

to  heifers,  that  run  at  their  eafe,  f0x2r,7U*deklw  J&Wj  $**yK&1w 
leave  the  herd  and  wholefome  pa-  <sr*f  skGWIs*  vo$j\  W  d^v^ 

fhire,  to  gnaw  upon  briars  and  <ff'JW'.  *)  wiCfa*,  ^tu&iw  ritfr 

thorns,  and  fo  poffibly  catch  a  ^ 

1  1  •     1  .  /-     r,      {  &c.  De  Trimt.Dial.  x. 

prick  111  their  root,that  they  never 

go  upright  after.  Sure  I  am,  it  is  fo  with  many  amongft 
us,  who,  in  the  wantonnejfe  of  their  wits,  withdraw  them- 
felves from  the  publiche  Affemhlies,  from  the  Minifes 

whom 


3 1  "The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe, 

whom  God  hath  fet  over  them,  from  the  pafmres  in 
which  they  ought  to  feed,  and  betake  themfelves  to  cop- 
pices, to  gnaw  (at  the  beft)on  briars  and  thorns ;  foj/ibly, 
(if  I  may  allude  to  thevifion  of  %obertu&  Gallus)  on 
rocks  and  (tones  :  It  is  no  marvell  if  they  be  lean  and  ill 
liking3if  many  catch  pricks3and  come  halting  home.  To 
paffe  from  this  •■>  the  Apoftle,  that  hee  might  preferve  in- 
tire  in  the  faith3  gives  efpeciall  caution  againii:  curiofity, 
that  queftions  be  avoided,  and  oppofitions  of  fcience  falfly  jo 
called.    But  of  this  hitherto. 

The  third  generall  head,  from  which  the  mcceffe  of 
herefies  arifeth3  is  the  providence  of  God  juftly  permitting 
that  it  mould  be  fo  : 

Firft,  as  a  punifhment  of  the  luke-warmnefe  ofmen,and 
want  of  love  to  the  truth  :  The  fin  grievous,  the  underva- 
luing of  light  h  the  punifhment  dreadfull,  light  is  re- 
moved, darknefle  fent  in  {lead  of  light.  God  will  not 
endure  the  defpifing  of  light.    The  Gentiles  held  the  truth 
in  unrighteoufnejfe,  they  delighted  not  to  have  God  in  their 
knowledge ,  Rom.  i .  God  gave  them  over  to  a  reprobate  fenfe> 
and  when  they  profefled  wifdome,  they  became  fools,  their 
2  Re  n       f°°hft  hearts  were  darkened.  Thus  God  dealt  with  Ahab ; 
2   e8,22'     *hee  hated  Micaiah,  with  whom  the  word  of  the  Lord 
was,and  cared  not  to  hear  him  j  the  Lord  therefore  gives 
commiffion  to  a  lying  fpirit  to  feduce  his  prophets,  and 
prevail  with  him  to  his  deftru&ion.  Thus  with  Ifrael  j 
,  Prophcfic  not,  fay  they  (the  people)  to  them  that  prophe fie : 

Micah  i.7,  «•  yfoy  Jhallnot  prophe  fie,  faith  the  Lord :  but  if  a  man  wal^ 
in  the  jpirit  and  lie*  he  fhaU  be  the  prophet  to  this  people.  Thus 
with  the  Jews  j  They  that  would  not  receive  Chrift  that 
came  in  his  Fathers  Name3  will  certainly  receive  an  im- 
poftor  that  comes  in  his  own  name.  Thus  with  Chrifti- 
ans  j  as  faith  the  Apoftle,  becaufe  they  received  not  the  love 
of  the  truth,  that  they  might  be  faved ;  and  for  this  caufe  God 
fhaU  fend  them  flrong  delujlons,  vK§[eictv  wham,  the  efficacy 
of  errour,  errour  in  the  ftrength,  that  they  may  beleeve  a 
lye.  This  fin  made  way  for  Mahumetanifine  in  the  Ea- 

fterne 


Ihe  means  to  fr event  it.  33 


fterne  Churches ;  Popery  in  the  Weltern  was  the  pu- 

nitliment  of  this  fin  :  God  is  the  fame  ftill,  the  fame  in 

revenging  his  defpifed  truth.  Truth  hath  been  preached 

amongft  us,  defpifed  amongft  us,  imbraced  by  very  few 

in  the  power,  in  the  love  of  it  \  God  revengeth  it,  and 

this  revenging  hand  of  God  may  be  fenfibly  felt  and  di- 

fcerned  in  our  diffractions.    Was  it  poflible  that  a  man 

ftiould  burn  one  piece  of  a  tree,  and  worfhip  another,  if 

God  had  not  fliut  up  his  eyes?  *  A  t     ,    .      v U     *  .      ,      x  , 

prudent  man  may  fee,and  wonder,  n^Jg  K^y  7h^v  g^Tv^X 

and  be  amazed  at  the  tenents,  car-  mdv\aV>lv  01  *m6 J/o/  hkywi  ts  <gj&.t- 

riages,  &c.  of  feducers,  how  in-  tx<t:v>  d<rv<&7a>{  iw  <udv7tov  <®a.<i  dv- 

confiftentthey  be,  how  far  from  ™<  m^Wts  x}  yivqAfav,  $  ^JV 

Ihew  of  truth,  and  at  the  great  P?"  J^^f^lm^o^m^ 
1  r  o .  ?  ,  9  a-    piph.  de  Encratitis.  Ha;rtf.47. 

defection  to  them  :    DoubtleUe,  r  r 

this  is  none  other  but  the  hand  of  God  upon  the  feduced, 
for  their  want  of  love  to  that  truth  which  they  had  re- 
ceived. 

•  Sejondly,  as  a  triall ofthofe  that  are  found :  There  mufl  1  Cor.i  i5 
be  herejtes  amongfi you>  (faith  the  Apoftle)f&a*  the  approved 
may  be  made  manifefi.  It  is  the  winde  that  difcovers  and 
fevers  the  chafFe  from  the  wheat.  *  obhoc  harefeatinon  ftatim  divinitus 
u  They  that  are  carried  about  with  dicantur  author  es ,  ut  —  umfquifque  quam 
diverfe  and  ftr  ange  doctrines  never  tenax,  &  fidelis,&  fixus  catholic*  fideifit  a- 
had  any  folidity  :  if  they  had  been  mtor>  fPP™**- . Et  n™a  cum  qutque  no- 
r„      +1  rj  /'      Ji.  #  vitas  ebullitSatim  ctrmtm  frumentorum  or  a- 

oft*,  they  would  have  continued  ^&l^ptl^[  ^f^J^ 

wttb  us.    1  he  noule  founded  on  monmine  excutitur  ab  area,  quod  nullo  pon- 
the  rock  doth  not  fall,  though  the  dere  intra  aream  tencbatur3  &c.  Vincent, 
winds  blow,  the  waters  rife,  and  Lyrinenf.cap,2f. 
waves  beat  upon  the  houfeyet  is  the  rifing  of  the  winds, 
and  beating  of  the  waves  upon  the  hou(e,  a  fore  tempta- 
tion: it  had  certainly  fallen,had  it  not  been  founded  on  a 
rock.lt  was  a  {eafonable  queftion  which  our  Saviour  mo- 
ved to  his  difciples  upon  the  defection  of  the  Capernaites, 
Joh.6.  WiUyee  alfogo  away  ?  It  was  a  brave  refolution  that 
Peter  put  ontfhough  all  men  for  fake  thecyet  will  not  V,  though 
I  die  with  thee,  jet  will  I  not  deny  thee :  but  hee  could  not 

F  performe 


The  mi fcbiefe which  H&eftesati^ 


performe  it  ;  when  his  Matter  was  taken,  hee  followes  a 
tarre  off,  a  prdudium  to  his  denyall :  Qui  timide  confitetur, 
negat ;  when  hee  was  in  the  high  Priefts  hall,  hee  not 
oneJy  denied,  but  forfwore  him,  the  knowledge  of  him, 
with  execrations.  The  rijmg  of  herefie  is  a  great  trial], 
2><?«r. i  3.  i , 2yj ,4.  The  Lordyow  God tuiethyou,  faith  Mo- 
fes :  the  prevailing  of  herefie  is  a  greater ;  an  hard  mat- 
ter it  is  to  refiftthe  follicitations  of  the  father  of  our 
fleihj  the  fonne  of  our  loines,  the  wife  of  our  bofomes, 
the  friend  whom  we  love  as  our  lives  :  an  hard  matter 
itistofwim  againft  the  frream  :  hee  is  a  fouldierthat 
ftands  to  his  arms  ,  when  fome  throw  them  clown  and 
run  away,  fome  throw  them  down  and  call  for  quarter, 
ready  to  take  pay  under  the  enemy.  When  men  of  name 
for  parts,  knowledge,  piety,  {ufferings,  mall  defert  the 
truth,  he  ftands  £aft  that  doth  not  ftagger  :  JfTeter  dif- 
femble,  Barnabas  is  carried  away  with  his  diffimulation. 
Look  to  your  felves,  take  heed  left  you  fall,  God  differs 
thefe  things  for  your  triall :  Hee  mfFers  the  evil!  of  he- 
refies ,  that  by  reafon  of  them  his  truth  may  be  more 
cleered,  his  people  more  confirmed,  hypocrites  difcover- 
ed,  and  medoutofthe  Church,  and  a  purer  body  left 
behinde.  But  thus  much  of  the  reafon  :  And  let  what 
hath  been  fpoken  fuffice  to  be  faid  of  the  Do&rinall  part, 
That  herehes,  or  errours  in  opinion,  are  of  a  fpreading 
and  deftroying  nature :  wherein  I  have  fhewed,  1 .  That 
they  eat  as  a  Gangreney  fpeedtly/ncurably^mortally,  2.  What 
they  eat ;  they  eat  ivp  faith  y  peace,  piety.  3 .  How  it  comes 
to  pane  they  thus  eat ;  from  hereticks,  their  fubtilty  and 
induftry  ;  from  the  people,  their  fimplicity  and  curiofity  ; 
from  God,  his  juftice  both  to  revenge  the  want  of  love  to 
the  truth ,  and  manifefl  thofe  that  are  approved*   Now  a 
word  or  two  for  application . 

If  hereiies  will  eat  as  doth  a  gangrene,  then  here  is 
matter  of  mourning  over  the  fad  and  difeafed  condition 
of  our  Churches,  that  have  in  them  many  gangrenes,  be- 
cau(e  many-  hereftes-,  and  all  things  are  bending  to  a 


and  the  means  U  frevent  it.  35 


j<pt£x£^Q-t  (as  the  Chirurgians  call  it)  the  heighth  of  mor- 
tification :  This  is  matter  of  lamentation  yz&  S^ekiel  (peaks, 
and  JhaM  be  for  a  lamentation.  Jobs  cafe,  over  which  his 
friends  for  (even  dayes  wept,  was  not  fo  bad  as  ours : 
his  fores  were  boyles,  ours  gangrenes  j  his  would  en- 
dure [craping,  ours  will  not  endure  touching  ;  his  body  was 
affe&ed,  oiw  fouls.  How  is  thefaithfuU  City  become  an  har- 
lot* How  is  our  wine  mixt  with  water,  our  filver  be- 
come drofle  ?  Is  it  nothing  to  you,  O  all  ye  that  pafle 
by  ?  Was  any  forrow  like  unto  ours  ?  But  lorrow  is  an 
helplefle  paffion :  It's  for  a  childe  to  fit  ftill  and  cry. 

If  herefies  will  eat  as  doth  a  gangrene ,  then  here  is  2 
matter  of  anger  againft  Yhyftcians  of  no  value,  that 
would  have  them,  if  not  tolerated,  connived  at  *  if  not 
fo,  yet  not  proceeded  again fi  with  any  vigour :  as  if  (like  a 
ilight  green  wound)  they  would  cure  of  themfelves  5  or,  „0 ^  x  ^ 
if  not  cured;,  they  were  not  dangerous :  men  of  the  tern-  C^y^^rt 
per  of  the  Samfeans  in  Epipkantptj ,  who  were  neither  'i^cuoi  ,  \n 
Christians,  nor  Jerves,  nor  Cjcntiles,  but  defirous  to  hold  MBM&w»j  «m« 
faire  correrpondence  with  all  religions 5  they  were  of  no  P**7*/  *Va*k 
religion,  they  were  yet  to  choofe  of  what  religion  they  j^^'h^" 
would  be.   But,  reft 

If  herefies  will  eat  as  doth  a  gangrene ,  I  beftech  you  5 
all  that  are  yet  found,  take  heed  of  them :  a  gangrene  is 
eafier  prevented,  then  cured }  and  fo  are  herefies.  Let  me 
prevail,  perfwading  to  diligence  of  indeavour  to  ftay  the 
further  fpreading  of  this  deftroying  maladie :  Think  you 
hear  the  voice  of  the  Church  like  the  cry  of  the  man  in 
the  pit,  Amice ,vide  ut  meextrahas  :  if  you  love  me,endea- 
vour  to  heal  mee  of  my  fores,  endeavour  to  help  me  out 
of  my  errours.  I  mall  apply  this  to  three  forts  of  perfons 
whom  I  fee  before  mee  j  the  People  ythe  Mmifier^thc  Ma* 
gtfirate  ;  and  in  all  be  very  fhort,  and  fo  conclude. 

Firft,  To  the  People :  Dearly  beloved  brethren,  for 
you  the  net  is  jpread,  it  is  for  your  precious  fouls  that  de- 
ceivers hunt,  it  is  for  your  fakes  that  I  have  pitched  upon 
thefe  meditations ;  I  befeechyou,  take  notice  of  what  a 

F  2  fpreading, 


^  The  mifcbiefe  which  Herefies  doe, 

fpreading,  what  a  deftroying  nature  herefies  are,  and 
keep  your  foules  with  all  diligence ,  left  by  any  warty 
by  any  means  you  be  deceived.    You  are  fallen  into 
dangerous  times,  into  times  of  great  temptation  3  er- 
rours,  like  a  floud,  come  up  over  all  their  channels, 
goe  over  all  their  banks ,  overflow ,  goe  over  ,  and 
reach  even  unto  the  neck,  and  cover  the  land,  as  the 
waters  the  fea :  And  let  me  tell  you,  (whatever  fome  men 
fay)  they  are  dangerous  errours,  many  of  them  razing 
the  foundation,  and  drowning  men  in  deftru&ion  and 
perdition  i  the  leaft  of  them  fuch  as  (if  not  deadly  in 
themfelves,  and  in  their  own  nature)  may  prove  deadly 
in  their  confequences  and  fad  effects,  as  preparing  the 
heart  to  entertaine  thofe  that  are  in  their  owne  nature 
deadly.  1  befeech  you  therefore,  as  you  love  the  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  as  you  tender  the  everlafting  falvation  of 
your  foules,  watch,  be  carefull  that  no  man  deceive  you: 
And  that  you  may  not  be  deceived,  I  commend  (palfing 
by  many  others)  thefe  three  rules : 

Firft,  Adhere  unto  your  own  miniftry,  and  wait  upon 
them  whom  God  in  his  providence  hath  fet  over  your 
foules.    The  end  why  God  hath  given  to  his  Church 
Paftors  and  Teachers,  is  fet  down  by  the  Apoftle  to  be, 
Eplttf  4.I4Z     that  we  may  be  no  longer  children  in  knowledge,  toffed  to  and 
fro  with  every  wind  of  doftrine.  God  will  blefle  and  be  ef- 
fe&uall  by  his  owne  ordinance  :  by  it  he  will  lead  in  wif 
dome,  and  in  understanding.  May  wee  not  goe  abroad  to 
hear  ?  This  is  beiides  my  purpofe  :  But  why  mould  you 
goe  abroad  to  buy,  when  you  have  food  at  home  V  God 
hath  beengraciofu  to  this  City  '■>  I  may  fpeak  it  without 
arrogance,  it  was  hardly  ever  better  provided  for  ;  the 
lolfe  of  the  country  hath  been  your  gain  :   Why  mould 
you  withdraw  your  felves  ?  The  mothers  milk,  is  mofl  na- 
tural for  the  infant  ;  the  fheep  that  wanders  from  the 
flock  is  in  moft  danger  of  the  wolfe  \  change  of  diet  is 
not  wholefome  for  the  body  ;  is  it  forthefoule  ?  An- 
other man  may  have  better  gifts  then  thy  Paftour  5 

can 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  37 

can  lie  have  more  love  to,  and  care  of  thy  foul  then  hee 
that  mult  give  an  account  for  it  ?  Children  that  often 
change  their  Matters,  feldome  prove  good  fcholars ;  nor 
they (jhdand  ur.dcrftandir.g  Chriftians,  that  change  their 
Minifters.  But  I  will  not  infill:  on  this :  I  am  not  againtt 
hearing  abroad  occaiionally ;  but,  for  the  preventing  of 
mifleading,  delire  toperfwadethe  ufe  of  the  p*£/*fl^Mini- 
ftery,and  of  your  own  Minifters,  whom  God  hath  given 
you  to  be  your  guides.  And  kt  mee  tell  you  of  one  great 
mifcarriage,and  not  the  lcaft  came  of  ib  much  defection  ; 
it  is  this,7fo  people  are  [0  firange  from  their  Minifters,from 
private  conference,  communicating  their feares,  their 
doubts,  their  temptations,  asking  advice  and  counfell  of 
them,at  whofe  mouthes  they  fhould  enquire  the  law:they 
bury  all  in  their  own  bofomes  to  their  great  difturbance, 
or  ask  of  others,who  feduce  them  by  mL'-information.To 
pafle  from  this,  if  any  of  you  be  miflead,  yee  have  the 
means  to  prevent  it,  your  bloud  will  be  upon  your  own 
heads.  If  a  virgin  betrothed  to  an  husband  was  ravifhed  Deut.11.23, 
in  the  city,  not  only  hee  that  ravilhed  her,but  fhe  her  felf 
fhould  die^ftie  cried  not  out  that  fhe  might  have  been  hol- 
pen  :  if  fhe  was  raviflied  in  the  field,  fhee  was  not  to  die, 
becaufeno  help  was  neer  3  but  he  that  ravifhed  her  was 
to  die.  Beloved,  you  are  efpoufedto  Jefus  Chrift  as  a  2C0r.11. 


chafte  virgin,  x  feducers  are  your  x  e/^oci*  <st6a«  *$$fUi'ix\isjv'  cv  1/a.- 

_  J„l^    .  s.  Li-  r  krlJX!   *     ..    i  '  > 


city,  /.  e.  111  tne    ;       :    Vn  >  \ 
Church  of  God,  111  the  City  of  k&p  $  fal^lt*^ 

Chrift, where  Minifters  refide  that  veu  i[w  ^Ag^9b£?>;  A  -ms  JWa£^ 
may  fuccour  you  when  affaulted,  Mft  ig?uLu&t*h»vM     ^aAo/* ^Bi^uicv 
your  bloud  will  bz  upon  your  own  f  %  dvetfm 

heads,  you  cried  not  out  for  help,  tLC^^^Z^'  rl 
you  betrayed  your  chaitity  to  the  5  U  uZ,  ki^vUWo, 

luft  of  your  ravifher.  People  that  pbv&  0  factaxpfy©-,  &c.  Cyril,  de  ador. 
fit  in  darknene,  where  are  no  Mi-  in  *Pir*  &  ?erit-  h  s- 
iters,  if  they  fall,  may  be  excufed  a  unto  \  they  had  none 

to 


3  8  The  mfchkfe  tvhkh  Herefies  doe, 

to  help  them :  but  your  bloud  will  be  upon  your  heads. 
Secondly,  Try  ail  things :  This  is  the  counfell  of  Saint 
j  Toh  4»  !•      J°bH*  Beleeve  not  every  Jpirity  but  try  the  fpirits  whether  they 
be  of Gad  or  no 3  for manyfalfe  prophets  are  come  into  the world* 
i  Thcff.5.17.  Try  aUthings,(Jzk\\S*Paul)  and  hold  fafi  that  which  is  good. 

Farre  be  it  from  Chriftians,  that  they  fliould  be  the  fcho- 
UclJrf  Vthl lars  of  Jpb'ovPdpifts,  y  not  at  all  to  fearch  the  Scri- 
mp. Eufeb.lib.  Pture »  l&e  trf*"***  to  gape  and  fwallow  what-ever  the 
5.12.  nurfe  puts  into  their  mouthes.  Confider  that  notable 

rpeech  of  Athanafitu  to  this  pur- 


what 

oxoncd  AKQteQw,  ti  jdwrneitpafiAafiov,  is  poffible,  or  profitable,  or 
bovzCeiu  a^iov,  Ked  71  xa^os  Z&y—, r  to  comely,  or  pleafing  to  God,  a- 
**ai  ro/V a^Vurtvhhnu  %  r  w»r %k*>v  greeable  to  nature,confonant  to 
*tm  yitf,  &c.  Tom.*.  p.3  x,.  &mth^c  ?  This        ^  the 

fble  and  adequate  origin  all  of  all  errour  to  thole  that 
have  been  deceived.  Many  want  will  to  doe  it3  they  will 
not  take  fo  much  pains,  and  what  needs  fo  much  adoe  ? 
they  (we  hear)  are  honeft,godly,&c.  But  would  you  not 
tell  mony  after  them,and  weigh  gold  ?  and  will  you  take 
do&rine  upon  truft  without  triall  J  May  not  every  man 
deceive,  and  be  deceived?  Is  there  not  danger  in  being  de- 
ceived ?  Should  your  faith  be  built  upon  man  >  Many  pre- 
tend they  want  skilly  they  cannot  do  it :  The  moft  filly 
creature  hath  fo  much  from  the  inftinft  of  nature,  as  to 
be  able  to  know  wholelbme  food,  if  it  be  well*  andfome 
of  them  their  phyfick,if  they  be  fick :  and  art  thou  a  man, 
a  Chrifltan,  a  profeffour,  a  forward  one*  unable  to  difcern 
between  light  and  darknelfe  ?  To  what  purpofe  ferves 
ijon  z.       the  annointing  which  we  have  of  God,  but  to  inform 
and  teach  us  concerning  thofe  thatfeduceus  1  a  Why 
a  a,*_£  « (u  j  ij  n.  *     /  ^     /        ft  %  are  wee  not  wife,  feeing  wee 
7h  %^v\ov  7t  «§&  0g«  4&  xe*r«  M       ha^  undemanding  I  Why  re- 
7)iejLov  oft  ZyvoidM  >t&ja,*'i>7r]opSfj  5     ajyuhAai  maine  wee  ignorant,  that  are 
dfvGuvlit  70  -x*myut  0  akfoa/rfi}  dvofoas  rtVoA.-  taught  of  God  >  Why  neglect 
Ignat.  ad  Ephef.  Wethe  gift  beftowed  on  us, 

and 


and  the  means  to  f  revert  it.  a  p 

and  pcrifli  like  fooles  >  b  Wari-  *  L       >QV  7~  KAraK^  ^ 
neiie  is  not  required  m  any  thing  ^  ^  MuntLn*  Kvyww,  ™ 
more  then  in  matters  of  religion  :  ami  t»  pc«^4o«,  Clem.  Alex.  Strom. 
Some  errors  are  lo  like  truth,  that  7' 
they  can  hardly  be  difcerned  :  All  defire  to  walk  under 
the  veils  of  truth  5  have  your  eyes  in  your  heads3that  you 
be  not  deceived.   It  is  beiides  my  purpofe  to  lay  down 
cautions  in  trial],  rules  of  triall ;  1  onely  allure  you,  as 
C  CV**  did  another,  It  is  not  c  £       ^  gfl  apud  n^Qfas  mnt(5  & 
an  hard  matter  tor  godly  and  fmpfces&crroremdeponere,&mvemre)atqHe 
nncere  people  to  efcape  out  of  mim  vgruatm :  nam  ji  ad  divina  traditio- 
the  mares  of  errour,  and  to  find      caput  atquc  originem  rcvertmur*  ceffat  enor 
out,  and  to  difcover  truth.    W  h'ima^>  Opr.  ad  Pompei.  contr.  lie.  See- 
they  bring  all  things  to  the  Phan'EPlft«  f+ 
touch* ftone  of  the  Scripture  by  an  impartiall  and  unpreju- 
diced'triall,  errour  will  bedilperfed,  as  mills  arediflipa- 
ted  by  the  beams  of  the  Sun. 

Thirdly,  Avoid  thole  that  are  erroneous,  their  eongre- 
gationaU  meetings,  and,  as  much  as  may  be,  their  perfonall 
converfe.   In  times  of  infection  men  doe  not  onely  make 
u(e  of  antidotes y  but  with  all  cape  fhun  places  and  per  fins 
that  are  infefted,  that  they  may  prevent  the  danger  of  in- 
fection :  the  like  caution  is  in  this  cafe  commended  ;  /  Rom.16.17. 
BcfeechjoU)  brethren  (faith  S.  Paul)  markjhofi  which  caufi 
divifions-  and  offences y  contrary  to  the  doChrine  which  you  have 
received^and  avoidthem.  And  S.  John^  If  there  come  any  un-  zjohn  ic. 
to  you,  and  bring  not  this  do&rine,  recetve  him  not  into  your 
houfe,  nor  bid  him  (jodfpeed*  If  with  one  called  a  brother, 

being  a  fornicator*  a  railer,  ive  mufi  not  eat  \  how 

ought  wee  to  fhun  fuch  as  adulterate  the  word  of  God, 

and  blafoheme  the  truth?  How  <*  come-  d  _  ,     *       »  ^e«v^^j»  . 

ly  is  it  not  only  to  abftam  from  fuch  ^  ^  ^T5      uldU,  ^  a*. 

things,  both  the  private  and  publick         \/mi  xoivn  Jitewvuvs 

difcourfe  of  them,  but  to  fhun  the  £t&j  ™  y'vr\u*\a.  <rs~Mv\a,<i 

authours  of  infamous  herefies  and  &  drx!^  ™™v>  Ig'^.ad 

fefts,  as  the  originall  of  aU  mifchiefe  ?  Smyrn' 

St.J^foe  would  not  endure  the  company  of  Cerinthtu  \  Nicefh.1.4, 

in 


^Q  The  mifchiefe  which  Heretics  doe, 


m  the  bath  :  Pohcarp  abhorred  conference  with  Marci- 
t  Athan.in  vit.  any  as  the  firft-bom  of  the  divell :  %  Antonitts  detefted  all 

communion  with  fiich  as  had  corrupted  the  faith,  and 

divided  the  Church  :  the  Chriftians  in  the  dayes  of 
u  Qdywnvj  Baflh,  when  Arianifme  had  fo  prevailed^  ftiunned  their 
h)'ft*efy  oi'xbj  meeting  houfes,  as  the  Schooles  oferrour  j  and  is  there 
cltyicuvovlxr  notreafonfor  it?  Confider  thofe  laid  down  by  the  A- 
ctil?  7i/I-~  poftles  :  Firft,  Such  (whatsoever  their  pretences  be) 
wIkZo.,  Baf.  ferve  not  the  Lord  Jefus  Christ,  but  their  own  bellies  5  they 
Epift.6 /.       fin  not  of  ignorance,  or  being  deceived,but  knowingly  ; 

to  adhere  to  them.,  is  to  defer t  Chrift.  They  fin  to  ferve 
their  bellies,as  «  Theophylatl  upon 
i  nZ<r<*  J*  ax  axfM  &  to  ifefcfcft  the  lace>  £  herefie  hath  ks 
vMw,  %  y*?ex-  **  cummin  wuz  aii   to  ul  fubfervicnt  to 

moMm  &u™h*<  ™i«^@-,o  to  ongmaii  to  De  luDieryient  to 

xeif?  dttffe  fome  luft  5    and  fhould  not  a 

brother  of  Chrift  blufti  to  make  fuch  a  fervant  to 

his  own  belly  his  matter^  Secondly,  with  fair  Jpeeches 
m.  they  deceive  the  hearts  of  the  fimple  :    there  is 

much  danger  of  infe&ioii  \  Can  a  man  touch  -pitch >  and  not 
be  defiled  ?  Can  he  carry  coals  of  fire  in  his  bofome^  and 
not  be  burnt  ?   May  not  Satan  feife  upon  thee,  finding 
k  Tert.de  f  eft.  theeamongft  his  own,  as  upon  the  woman  in  the  k  The- 
cap.  l€l         *tre  ?   Thirdly,  Hee  that  bids  him  God  jpeedy  is  partaker  of 
all  his  evill  works  :  thy  fitting  and  eating  in  an  idols 
temple  may  be  a  fnare  and  fcandall  to  thy  weak  brother, 
may  be  an  incouragement  unto  fectaries,&c.  Thou  maift 
bring  upon  ,thy  head  the  guilt  of  blafphemies  9  the  bloud 
of  foules.  '  Shall  I  adde  one  reafon  more  >  Thou  maift 
poffibly  perifti  with  them.    I  have  often  thought  of  the 
,    ,   ,     ><,  <\  1  y  *  >   a  >     '  ,  a-  fpeech  of  1  Ignatius ,  They  that 
£LJ&r«»*&,^*i  w  adhere  to  fuch  as  adhere  not  to 

^isa3w4^«Tox£>B  jcHfu)t®;s«V  y'w-  truth,  (hall  not  inherit  the  kmg- 
yaM  Ka.7*mfy<rtl«*  •  «T5  $  IvttCZvJ,-  dome  of  God  :  they  that  depart 
?&h       ^  fvzriCwt  ciywdz  not  from  faife  teachers,  fhall  be 
cT«  ,  Ad  Phdadelph.  condemned  unto  hell.    Hee  that 

would  not  be  drawn  away  with  the  wicked,and  the  wor- 
Pfal.i8.j.      kers  of  iniquity  unto  perdition,  as  David  prayes,  muft 

learn 


and  the  mans  to  prevent  it.  41 


learn  to  hate  the  congregation  of  evill  doers,  as  David  Pfal.16.4- 
pleads.  There's  reafon  enough  todhTwade  from  their 
meetings:  *  Do  not  the  Angels,  m  mbita<  iUo  momem  q*o  in  vMitc- 
think  you,look  from  heaven  >  Do  clefiaf»eris3omnes  Angelos profpicere  dt  cabs 
they  not  obferve  who  (peak  blaf-  &  fingubs  dmotcve,  quis  bhfybcmhm  $*e- 


May 

I  not  conclude  this  with  the  Prophet  ,  Though  thou  If  Hof.4, 1$. 

rael plaj  the  harlot,  let  not  Judah  offended  come  not  yee  unto 

Gilgal^eithergoupoBethaven?  "A-  *  ^yj,  rtk  M*<  <%£jcl- 

void  Atheifticall  herefies,  they  are  £6a»  yd§  el<rtv   IavtU 

the  inventions  of  the  Divell ;  fuch  y&<tmcu>  arnvMexH  «  T$X 

fruit,  wjiofoevertafteth  of,  (hall  die,  «e^^*j«V  rfcaWwr, 

tii  1  1     1     Ienat.  ad  Trallenf. 

not  a  temporall,but  an  eternal  death.  6 

I  prefle  this  upon  you,  not  for  your  (elves  onely,  but 
your  families, .your  wives,children,and  fervants,  for  whom 
you  are  refponfible.  It  was  Jojhua's  resolution,  I  and  my 
houfe  will  ferve  the  Lord  ;  the  elect  Ladies  comfort,  that 
her  children  were  walking  in  the  truth:  You  would  reftrain 
them  from  taverns ,  brothel-houfes ,  ftage-playes  j  re- 
main  them  from  thefe  meetings,  of  which  I  may  fay,  as 
o  Chrrfoslome  of  the  Synagogues  of  •  t^wa^^a^,  tJWLcw 
the  Jewes ,  they  are  lome  of  them  pfow  ^etyayiet  •  s  //»  roivuu 
worfe,  the  dens  of  theeves,  the  Divels  <JWe  tLu;  Qalveicw  lx»W,  &c*  O- 
meeting-houfes  :  therefore  betray  not  rat*2-  contr-  Ju<1*  xom.6. 
their  falvation.  Thus  you  have  directions  for  the  people 
to  prevent  the  Spreading  of  this  gangrene  :  But  O,  how 
are  they  neglected  !  Thepublick  miniftery  isforfaken, 
opinions  imbraced  for  truth,  not  onely  before  they  be 
tried,  but  before  they  be  declared  what  they  be  :  the  in- 
conliderate  people  flock  to  the  meeting-houfes  of  Secta- 
ries, asfwarmesofflies  (if  it  may  not  be  offenfive  to  ufc 
the  Similitude  ofTlutarch)  in  an  hot  fummers  day,  to  a 
galfd  back,  thence  to  fuck  out  filth  and  corruption. 
And  is  it  a  ivonder  that  errours  prevails  >  But  of  this 
hitherto. 

G  Secondly, 


42 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe^ 


Secondly,  To  you,my  brethren  in  the  LMiniftery,  I  de- 
fire  to  fpeak  fomething,  andtomyfelf:  Godexpe&s  at 
our  hands,  as  officer  in  the  Church,  that  wee  endeavour 
with  all  our  gifts, all  our  power  (which  he  hath  given  us 
for  edification ',  and not for  de fit -uU ion)  not  only  to  prevent 
the  Jpreading,  but  (if  it  be  poftible)  the  being  of  herefies  : 
And  to  this  purpofe  it  is  required, 

Firft,That  herefies  be  discovered  that  hereticks  by  found 
dottrine  be  convinced  .•  As  a  word,  an  erroneous  word  ma- 
keth  the  wound,  [Their  word  doth  eat  as  doth  a  canker  {]  Co 
a  word,  a  found  word  doth  make  the  cure,  [•*■(/ vw*f*t 
<pa.flMxbv  %b  Ao^.]The  way  to  ft  op  the  further  proceedings 

2  Tim.3-9.  of  feducers,  is  to  make  their  folly  manifeft  to  aU  men  ;  And 
to  this  purpofe  God  requires  of  Minifters,  not  onely  to 
teach  the  ignorant,  but  to  convince  gain foyers.  Other  men 
of  abilities  may  do  hex  charitate,  you  muftdo  it  ex  officio: 
God  hath  made  you  watchmen,  not  onely  to  warn,  when 
grievous  wolves  from  without  make  havock  of  the  flock; 
but  then  to  take  heed,  when  fubtil  foxes  from  within 
teach  tfbta&lrffet  crooked  and  perverft  tilings,  to  draw 
difciples  after  them.God  hath  left  unto  all  men  the  judge- 
ment of  difcretion,to  you  is  committed  the  judgement  of 
direction  ;  every  man  is  bound  to  fee  for  himfelf,  you  are 
commanded  to  fee  for  others :  The  commilfion  of  the  Mi- 

Exc.44. 13,24.  niftsr  is,  They  fhali  teach  my  people  the  difference  between  the 
holy  and  profane,  andcaufe  men  to  difcern  between  the  unclean 
and  the  clean.  And  m  centr  over  fie  they  jhaB  ft  and  in  judge' 
went,  and  they  [hall  judge  it  according  to  my  judgements ;  and 
they  jbaU  keep  my  lawes,  and  my  ftatutes  in  all  mine  ajfemblies, 
and  they  fhaU  hallow  my  Sabbaths.  And  it  is  the  direction  of 

1C0r.14.32.  the  Apoftle,  that  the  fpiritsofthe  Prophets  be  fubjetlto 
the  Prophets.  The  declaration  of  what  is  hereticall,  what 
orthodox  ^  what  k  lawful!,  what  fcandalous,  belongs  to 
you:  you  will  be  found  as  guilty  of  violating  the  law^and 

Iie.22.2f  ,26.  profaning  the  holy  things  of  God,  if  you  put  not  this 
difference,  as  others  if  they  confound  them.  This  is  the 
Scripture  way :  The  Angel  of  the  Church  ofEphefiisis 

commended^ 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  4. 3 


commended,  Thou  haft  triedthem  which  fay  they  arc  Affiles,  Rev.  1.2. 
and  are  not, and  haft  found  them  liars. Paul  and  Barnabas  had  Afts  ij.j. 
great  diflention  and  difputation  with  them  that  corrupted 
the  dottrine  of  the  Gofpel  in  Antioch.  This  hath  been  the 
way  of  the  Churches  of  Chrift  in  all  ages :  the  Minifters 
have  been  imployed  feverally,  and  in  Councels,in  the  dis- 
covery and  confutation  of  all  errours  that  have  arifen. 
This  truth  is  fo  notorious  to  all  that  have  had  the  leaft 
acquaintance  with  Antiquity3that  it  would  be  loft  labour, 
and  time  mif-fpent  to  prove  it  :  the  writings  of  the  Fa- 
thers, the  hiftories  of  the  Councels  bear  ample  teftimony 
to  it,  being  for  the  moft  part  taken  up  with  this  occafion. 
Let  him  that  hath  a  defire,  read  Ambrofe  in  his  3  2.Epiftle 
to  the  younger  Valenttnian,  and  in  his  33 .  Epiftle  ad foro* 
rem>This  is  our  duty  in  the  behalf  of  our  people, as  P  Na- 
sjanzjene  laid  fometimes  to  his5  Leave  p  ,£  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  ^  , 
the  battel!  to  me;Lct  me  build  the  (hip,do  uJ^hJ^p  iZfnZ*  % 

thou  fail  in  it  ;  Let  the  fight  be  mine,  m  l^U  I  ^om^q-  £r<y,  aiv 

thine  the  victory ;  Let  me  grapple  with  to  wimp*  •  Zya  ^<tW\oi[4w3  Qv  3 
the  adverfary,  be  thou  in  peace.  O  that  "sM*>  Orat.40. 
in  thefe  times  of  defection  we  all  of  us  had  hearts  to  dis- 
charge in  this  particular  our  dutiesjwhich  we  have  never 
difcharged,  till  fuch  time  as  we  have  difcovered  and  con- 
vinced errours,  and  that  boldly,  plainly,  folly, and  with 
authority:  and  in  *  fome  cafes  erroneous  per  fins,  that  the  *  Baldu.de  ca- 
people  may  know  of  whom  to  beware,as  our  Apoftle,  Of  fi.  Iib.4.  caf.2, 
whom  is  Hymeneus  and  Philetus.  I  know  this  duty  of  a  cap*  7« 
Minifter  is  not  more  negletted  then  decried :  What  needs 
fo  much  fire?  Can  you  not  preach  Chrift,faith,and  repen- 
tance,and  let  thefe  points  in  controveriie  alone?  Do  not 
they  preach  Chrift  that  difcover  errours  ?  Did  not  the 
Apoftle  to  the  Galatians  preach  Chrift  ?  Is  it  not  time  to 
fpeak,  when,under  a  pretence  of  preaching  Chrift3Chrift 
is  almoft  preached  out  of  the  Church?  This  much  com- 
mended Moderation,  in  which  many  forbear  this  duty,is 
no  other  then  the  old  ftiift  of  Auxentius,  Ur facias,  Valens, 
and  other  debauched  Arians  in  the  Conncell  of  Arimi- 

G  2  num, 


^  The  mifchiefe  which  Hereftes  doe, 

num,revived  of  late  by  Papif  s  in  Germany,  Arminians  in 
Holland,PrelatcS  in  England,  who  found  the  filencing  of 
difputes  the  mod:  efficacious  and  plaufible  way  to  advance 
their  dengues.  I  defire  wee  may  firengthen  our  (elves  a- 
gainic  all  temptations  in  this  kind,with  fuch  like  confide- 
^An&qmrtsw  rations  as  q  Cyrtl  fometimes  did  :  O  man,  there  will  be 
%xiu  »       \  no  cxcufe  for  thy  filence,for  thy  moderation;  thou  ftand- 
GWTrtuj,  Sei  a,     guilty  by  reafon  of  it  before  God  and  man,  &c.  But 
yji  a*  ta  gr  veryum  japjenti.  1  pafTe  from  this  to  a  fecond  duty. 
S^VlS     Secondly,That^rtf/^  be  cenfured^nd  by  the  fword  of 
Q~So5vok  ,  &c  difcipline  cut  off.thafc  they  have  their  mouthes  ftopped.In 
torn.  2.  Cone.  the  former  was  exercifed  the  power  of  order ;  in  this,  the 
ap.  Bin.  Cone.  pOWer  Gf  jurifdtttion.   By  whofe  hands  this  fword  mould 
Ephef.  part.  3.  ^  wieyC(jj  ^ancj  not  to  difpute;  but  fure  I  am,wielded  it 
ought  to  be,  and  in  this  cafe  drawn  forth  by  fome  hands. 
1  Tim.  1.3.    timothy  was  left  at  Ephefusjo  charge  fome  men  to  teach  no 
Tit. 3. 8.         other  dottrir.e  :  and  Jitvu  receives  it  in  commiflion,  to  re j eft 
an  heretic!^  after  the  firfi  and  fecond  admonition  :  Chrift 
Rev.2.  i4>  2.°-  blames  the  Angels  of  the  Churches  in  Pergamusmd  Thya- 
f />v* ,that  they  fufFered  (uch  as  held  the  docVine  of  Balaam^ 
and  the  woman  Jezebel  —  to  teachy  and  feduce  his  fervants. 
This  was  the  medicine  which  P*z«/applies  toHymeneus  and 
Alexander  \  he  delivered  them  over  to  Satany  that  they  might 
learn  not  to  blafpheme :  Satan  teaches  to  blafpheme;  but  the 
delivering  over  unto  Satan,  teacheth  not  to  blafpheme. 
The  fharpeft  cenmres  in  the  Church  are  of  a  curing  na- 
ture ;  the  wounds,  not  of  an  enemy,  but  of  a  Phyiician  : 
the  cafting  out  of  an  heretick  is  either  healing  to  the  per- 
foncaftout,  or  preventing  infe&ion  to  the  people.  It 
hath  been  the  ulttmum  remedium  in  the  pureft  ages  of  the 
Church  :  infiances  I  might  give ;  I  content  my  felf  with 
one,and  that  in  an  ill  time  of  the  Church  for  the  orthodox, 
t  'OuoSvpcLrov  cl^nc™  ^™-  The  Fathers  affembled  at  *  Ariminum 
(fy>  lyb&i }j#0tf/fs-  unanimoufly  depofed  Urfacim,  Valens, 
Sastv,  Iva  n  wQokmyi  <nfas  c#         and  fome  others  (though  upheld  by  the 
jV^ji.  APud  Athan.Epift.de  Syn.  pQWer  and  favQUr  of  the  Emperor  Co9gm 

fiantins)  that  the  Chriftian  faith  might  remain  in  peace, 

and 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  45 

and  intire  :  and  this  advice  gives  f  Nazjeuztne^ct  them  r  *Q(  k*tyli» 
be  caft  out  as  the  pells  of  the  Church,  and  the  poifoners  ^xa»«*<»xJ  f 

oftruth.  ;  f^t^T 

But  this  may  feem  to  fbme  an  hard  fentence,  to  others  ^  ^Sm* \ 
an  unprofitable  courfe.  Say  Tome,  Will  you  have  good,  &c  Oat.  17. 
holy,lcarncd5painfull,ufeful  men  caft  out  of  the  Church"? 
Say  others.  What  will  it  avail  >  they  feparate  from  you, 
they  have  already  renounced  their  miniftery,deierted  their 
ftations,  imbodied  themfelves  in  another  way,  they  will 
not  care  for  your  ceniures. 

The  Apoftle  anfwersboth  thefe  objections  T/r.3.9.  To 
the  firft,faith  he,  Reject  him  that  is  an  heretick,  \nowir,g 
that fficb  a  eve  is  fubverted,  hath  the  faireft  fide 

outward:  (the  word  is  a  metaphor  drawn  from  foule  lin- 
nen,  as  Favorhus,  the  foul  fide  turned  inward)  as  if  hee 
fhould  have  faid,Such  a  man, whatever  mews  he  makes,is 
a  naughty  man  :  He  that  con fents  not  to  whole fome  words^the  1  Tim£.  g. 
words  of  our  Lord  Jefm  Chrift>  and  to  the  doctrine  which  is 
according  to  godlineffe^  he  is  froud^knowing  nothings  faith  the 
Apoftle.  If  you  look  to  the  outfide,you  fee  the  cloathing 
of  a  fheep  ;  if  you  could  look  to  the  infide.you  mould  fee 
the  ravening  of  a  wolfe  :  the  outfide  of  the  fepulchre  is 
painted,  the  infide  is  filth  and  rottennefTe  :  poffibly  we 
may  have  high  thoughts  of  truth-corrupters ,  but  God 
hath  not,  the  primitive  Church  had  not :  They  none  of 
them  are  better  then  tpyramides,  or  fepulchres  of  the  (  ol  7-0**73/ 
dead,that  have  written  upon  them  the  names  of  dead  men:  **&vks  ■  s#Acu 
Their  opinions,their  incorrigiblenefs  in  their  opinions,  H^K^  ?^ 
isaplainmanifeftation  of  the -rottenneis  of  their  hearts^  yS^f^'^ 
which  if  you  could  dilcern,  you  would  never  think  it  rororWU  n~ 
if  range  that  the  Apoftle.  commands  luch  men  to  be  reje1  K$£v&pB?wrav* 
cled.  The  skilfull  Chirurgian  fals  to  cutting  and  fearing,  A(i  Philad. 
fo  foon  as  the  gangrene  begins  to  appear  5  a  little  delay 
may  endanger  the  life,  the  whole  will  not  be  preferved 
but  by  the  lofle  of  a  part :  herefies  are  a  gangrene(a  lepro- 
fiein  the  head)  they  may  endanger  the  body,the  Church; 
there  is  no  other  ecclefiafticall  way  to  prevent  it,  if  once 

come 


6fi  The  mifckiefe  which  Herefies  doe, 

come  to  this  height,  but  rejecting  $  and  this  poffibly  may 
not  only  preferve  the  body,but  recover  the  member.  And 
thus  much  for  the  firft  branch. 

To  the  fecond,  They  have  caft  out  themfelves, &c.  Re- 
jeft  him,  faith  the  Apoftle,  he  is  condemned ofhtmfelfe\  it  is 
felf-guiltinefle  that  perfwades  reparation  :  If  fiich  men 
havepafled  a  fentence  againft  themfelves  really,  that  they 
are  unworthy  of  the  communion  of  faints,the  fellowship 
of  the  Church,  the  kingdo  me  of  heaven ;  confirm  their 
fentence,caft  them  out  judicially,let  them  bear  that  necef- 
farily,  which  they  have  chofen  voluntarily  to  undergoe. 
omes  Though  that  be  true  which  u  Firmilianus  hath  in  his  E- 
TmSTdlm-  Pi[He  to  C»^P* is  manifeft5that  they  are  all  condemned 
natose(fe,&  an-  of  themfelves,  and  have  pafled  againft  themfelves  a  dread- 
re  diem  judicii  full  fentence  before  the  day  of  judgement :  yet  pofiibly  the 
inexcufabilem    lenity  of  the  Church,waking  with  patience,  and  feeking 
fentmiam  in  fe-  wjtn  clemency  to  gain  thefe  men,  may  hide  it  from  their 

&c  E  ift?7  j!  e?es>  and  be£et  fuch  hiSh  thoughts «  in  the  Domtifls  of 
old,  Si  malefacimus^ejHAre  nes  qtt&ritit  ?  If  we  be  fo  bad  as 
x  NonquMuntur  you  pretend,  why  do  you  forbear  us ,  why  do  you  court 
wfi  qui  perie-  us,  why  do  you  feek  our  communion  ?  x  Anflin  gives  to 
runt:  -*Pojftt(&  Ma  ovis  tarn  abfurde  this  a  fatisfa&ory  anfwer  :  Nothing  is 
paftoridicerefimaiefacioqiiodagregc  fought  which  was  not  loft;  Should  a 

tZliZt  T  qUT  ?  mnTUTS  wandring  fheep  fay  to  the  fhepherd,  If 
q"a/-ejeputatnoneffcqu<erendam3hanc  tj-ii  j         i     j  r  i 

eJTeun^caurumquarcq^ratur^kuse.  1  do  lH  l°  wandef>  why  doe  you  feek 

vims  ergo  vosMtinvemamus  \  tantnm  n^   'Wee  leek  them  that  we  may 

enim  vosd  'rtigimus  ut  vivatis,  quantum  linde  them, that  they  may  live ;  our  love 
vcslrumemremodimusutmtereatyqui  to  their  perfons  being  as  great  as  our 
vosperda,  Cont.lit.PctU.U.c.37.  hatred  of  their  errours.  But  feeing  pa- 
tience and  lenity  may  be  made  advantage  of  to  the  fomen- 
ting of  obftinacy  in  fome,and  infharing  of  others  ;  the  re- 
jecting of  fuch  men  (as  have  abufed  lenity)from  the  com- 
munion of  the  Church,  may  be,  by  the  blefling  of  God,  a 
great  means  to  open  their  eyes,  to  ftay  others  that  waver, 
at  lead,  to  free  the  Church  from  the  guilt  of  bloud,  the 
bloud  of  fouls.  How  lightly  foever  feme  men  (peak  or 
think  of  the  cenfures  of  the  Church,  yet  are  they  ratified 

by 


and  the  means  to  fr  event  it. 


47 


by  Chrift  in  heaven  ;  and  a  dreadftill  thing  it  is  to  be 
condemned  by  the  judgement  of  the  Church. 

Thus  much  of  the  fecond  ecclefiafticall  courfe  to  be  ta- 
ken for  the  fuppre(fing,or  flaying  the  progreffe  of  herefie. 
I  confefle,it  is  a  point  iinds  oppofition,  and  from  fuch  as 
it  ought  not :  fome  teach ing3that  there  is  no  intrinfecall 
power  in  the  Church  for  fiipprefling  herefie  and  fchifme. 
Did  the  Apollles  exercife  none  ?  Was  there  none  in  the 
Church  for  3  00  yeers  after  Chrift  ?  Did  they  uftirp  what 
they  exercifed  ?  If  not,  who  took  away  from  the  Church 
the  power  fometimes  exercifed,  never  ufurped  ?  Others 
fay,  Do&rine  is  the  moft  effe&uall  way  to  root  out  here- 
fie.That  hereticks  mould  be  convinced  by  found  doftrine, 
hath  been  already  declared :  whether  doctrine  be  the  only 
or  moft  effe&uall  way  to  root  it  out,  I  will  not  difpute  : 
(I  hate  fb  to  compare  doftrine  and  difcipline,asthe  Prela- 
ticall  party  of  late  did  preaching  and  prayer^fo  to  advance 
the  one,as  to  bring  the  other  into  diAreipecl:)  only  I  (ay, 
that  difcipline  hath  been  very  ufeful  and  efFe&uall  to  pre- 
vent the  rifing  of  herefies,  as  in  the  Church  of  Scotland ; 
to  fupprefle  their  growth,  as  in  the  Church  of  Holland : 
to  give  inftance  neerer  home,  England  is  fallible  of  the 
good  of  difcipline  :  In  eighty  yeers  there  did  not  arife  a- 
mongft  us  fb  many  horrid  opinions  and  blafphemous  he- 
refies  under  Epifcopacy,  (a  Government  decryed  as  AntU 
chriflim)as  have  rifen  in  thefe  few  yeers, fince  we  have  been 
without  Government :  and  in  thofe  daies  the  errours  that 
ivere, walked  in  darknefle  '■>  but  in  ours,  they  out- face  the 
Sun.  Why  do  all  our  Sectaries  oppofe  the  eftablifr.ing  of 
Government  ?  Would  the  wolves  fo  earneftly  defire  the 
putting  away  of  the  dogs,  were  they  not  the  fafety  of  the 
flock  >    But,  as  I  faid,  I  will  not  difpute. 

Laftly,(that  I  may  fpeak  fomething  alfo  to  you,Right 
Honourable,and  the  relidue,unto  whofe  care  the  Govern- 
ment of  this  great  City  is,  by  the  providence  of  the  Al- 
mighty, committed)  Godexpe&s  it  at  the  hand  of  the 
Magistrate 0  that  he  mould  put  forth  all  that  power  with 

which. 


The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doey 

which  he  is  invefted  from  on  high,  for  the  fuppreffion  of 
herefies  and  fchifmes  in  the  Church,  and  the  cure  of  this 
fpreading  canker.  I  know,that  in  this  fcepticall  time  it  is 
queftioned  by  nullitidians^  as  moft  other  truths  are,  whe- 
ther the  Magiftrate  hath  any  calling  to  intermeddle  in 
matters  of  religion  :  or  if  in  matters  of  religion,  whether 
in  matters  6f  opinion.  1  will  not  meddle  much  with  di- 
fputes  in  this  queftion.  It  is  contefled  by  all,that  the  Ma- 
giftrates,the  Kings  of  Judah,did  intermeddle  for  the  abo- 
lifhing  of  errours,  and  reformation  of  the  Church  :  Why 
may  not  Chriftian  Magiftrates  walk  in  their  fteps  >  Be- 
M.S.  to  A.S.    caufe/ay  fome,they  were  types^their a&ions  in  this  point 
typicall.  But  this  is  faid,not  proved.  Becaufe  they  med- 
dled only  with  Idolaters  for  idolatry ,  not  Sectaries  for 
opinions.  Where  is  it  read  that  they  puniftied  Pharifees, 
Sadduces,Efleans  >  Where  is  it  read,  that  there  were  any 
fifth  Sectaries  in  Judah,till  the  Scepter  was  departed  >  We 
Deut.18.  io.  read  the  Law,  that  not  only  the  Prophet  that  fyakeintht 
name  of  another  god >  but  the  Prophet  that  pre  fumed  to  Jpeafyn 
the  NaJne  of  the  true  God>a  word  which  he  had  not  commanded* 
flhotild  die :  the  falfe,or  lying  prophet,  was  guilty  of  death, 
as  well  as  the  idolatrous  prophet :  And  qutre,  Was  not 
Jer.itf.         Jeremy  queftioned  upon  this  law  \  Where  in  all  the  New 
Teftament  hath  the  Magiftrate  power  given  him  againft 
herefies  and  fchifms  \  Where  hath  he  power  given  him  a- 
gainft  adulteries  and  murthers  ?  Speak  out,  Socinian  : 
take  away  all  Magiftracy  5  if  thou  leaveft  him  in  his  Vice- 
gerentfhip  to  God,  as  his  minifler^  a  revenger^  to  execute 
wrath  upon  him  that  doth  evilU  thou  wilt  never  be  exempted 
from  the  edge  of  his  fword,  till  thou  canft  prove  herefies 
good;  and  that  thou  maift  do, when  thou  canft  prove  Gal. 
5.19,2c  2  Joh.  1 1 .  Rev.  2.1 5.  to  be  no  Scripture.  I  know 
divers  Treatifes  have  been  publifhed  againft  this  power  of 
the  Magiftrate,  which  this  time,  this  place  permit  not  to 
examine  :  if  God  permit,  the  weaknefle  of  them  fhall  be 
in  another  manner  difcovered.  For  the  prefent  I  lay  down 
theft  three  Propofitions. 


48 


and  the  means  to  prevent  it.  49 

Firft,There  was  never  in  the  world  any  godly  Emperor 
orKing  that  can  be  produced,but  thought  the  care  of  reli- 
gion did  appertain  to  him,  that  it  was  his  duty  to  iupprefs 
idolatries3hereiies3fchimis5and accordingly  hath  been  acV 
ing,more  or  lefle,to  this  purpofe.  That  this  care  lay  upon 
the  Kings  of Judah,  is  confelfed  :  what  Chriitian  Empe- 
rors have  done, would  be  too  long  to  relate.Thefirft  that 
ever  was,  gave  this  in  charge  to  his  deputies.  That  above  Hajus  ret  potif- 
all  other  things,  they  fhould  have  this  in  efpeciall  care,  pmum  compe- 
that  the  people,  members  of  the  orthodox  Churches,  tmtm  ™rf? 
fhould  not  be  corrupted  with  fchifinaticall  or  hereticall  f'**tyc  6  ' 
opinions ;  but  that  they  that  did  dehgnefuch  a  mifchief, 
fhould  be  feverely  punilhed.  His  godly  fiicceffours  walk- 
ed in  his  fteps. 

Secondly,  That  thofe  Emperors  arid  Kings  who  are 

recorded  voluntarily  to  have  tolerated  all  religions,  or 

careUfly  to  have  neglected  the  growth  of  herefies,  and 

fchifms  in  the  Church,  have  been,  the  former,  Apoftates, 

Atheifts,Hereticks;  the  later  branded  for  their  neglect.  It 

would  be  too  long  to  inftance  in  particulars  :  The  tirft 

that  ever  did  it  (after  Conftatttine )  was  Jnlian^  infamous 

for  his-y  apoftacie;of  a  profe£  v  r  r    ,  fl  „ 

fed  Chriftian,  he  degenerated  tm  fe  fuis  eMjs  tepJs  rJf/  'J°^ 

into  a  reall  Pagan,and  gave  a  cepitvoto  fuo3  qm  inteBexerat  ad  deRmndam 

toleration  to  Sectaries ,  that  pacem  cum  furore  ztnturoseffe.  Erubefcite,f 'alius 

he  might  difturb  the  peace  of  *fi  pufa*  Badcm  voce  vobis  hhivtas  eft  reddlta, 

the  Church,  and  overthrow  ^^'^^m^uffafmtm^la,  Op- 

^1   ,n.    .    '  tat.  cont.Parm.  1.2. 

Chriihanity. 

Thirdly,  Never  did  any  orthodox  Divine  conflantly 
deny  this  power  to  the  Magiftrate,or  plead  for  a  tolerati- 
on of  all  fe&s.  Indeed  z  Auji'tn  was  for  a  time  of  this  opi-  1  L  2. 
nion,that  none  ought  to  be  compelled  to  the  faith*,but  he  C3?''' 
retracted  it.  And  a  NazAanz.ene  was  fometimes  too  indul-  *  'E**^  0 
gent  to  the  Apollinarians,  but  confefleth,  that  he  was  i- 
gnorantly  fo,  not  knowing  that  hee  ^  t* 
had  almoft  undone  both  them  and  the  p\0^U' « #  JWa^fi  i&j  «zwr»j« 
Church  by  his  unfeafonable  philofc-  hm^M^  Epift.  77-  Olymp. 

H  phiej 


5  o  •     The  mifchiefe  which  Herefies  doe^ 

phie ;  for.>  as  Solomon,  Afervant  will  not  be  corrected  with 
words.  But  no  more  of  thefe  at  this  time. 

If  any  man  ask,What  hath  the  Magiftrate  done  for  the 
fiipprefling  of  herefies  >  I  anfwer,  A  learned  Knight  hath 
b  The  primi-  written  a  *>  Treatife  upon  this  fubjett,in  the  fifth  Section 
tivc  pra&icc  of  which,  he  tels  us,  that  the  Magiftrate  hath  made  ufe  of 
banijkmetjt)  imprisonment  ^  fixing  *  to  this  purpofe  hemakes 
mention  alfo  out  of  Sevems,  of  one  PrifcillianHs  put  to 
death  %  which  a&5faith  he,  the  Church  was  offended  at : 
Polfibly  the  Church  might  be  offended  at  the  manner  of 
the  doing?but,I  think,hardly  at  the  deed  it  felf }  both  be- 
c  Epift.9  5.     caufe  i  Leos  who  lived  not  long  after  that  time,  exprefly 
*^.k^^wm£\S^^  commends  the  fac%  and  dO^- 
Nemo  erat  Ukndm  ab  operants  unitatls 3Ced ncc        Who  lived  in  the  lame  time, 
ab  eptfeopis  mandata  diiina  conttmnidebnerant.  jufrifies  the  practice  of  putting 
—  Sioccidimalnmefl,  mail  ful  ipfi  funt  caufa,  Scbtfmaticks  to  death  :  unto 
&c.  Vide  lib j.cont.Paimen.  whoml  might  txddeAugufiine in 

e  De  adcr.  in  divers  places  3  and  e  Cyril  of  Alexandria,  who  taught,that 
foirit.  &  vcrir.  hereticks^  that  fteal  away  and  make  merchandize  of  the 
hb.  8.  ^ou]s  Q£ men3might  with  as  much  reafon  be  put  to  death, 

as  thofe  under  the  law,  that  were  found  ftealing  of  men, 
and  felling  them,  Sxod.  21. 1 5.  AndTheodofius  made  a 
law,  that  whofoever  rebaptiz,ed  any  one  baptized  in  the 
Church,  jhoulddie^  and  in  fome  cafes  the  party  rebaptiz,ed 
alfo.  But  of  this  more  will  be  faid,  if  God  permit,  in  an- 
other way. 

Befides  thefe  courfes  acknowledged  by  that  learned 
Knight, there  was  alfo  great  care  taken  for  the  {iipprefling 
t  of  the  writings  of  hereticks,  which  were  by  the  imperial 

€  J.  .I.C.2,0.  ^  f  cQnc}emnecJ  tQ  tne  f]re    g  an(J  tnat  upQn  pajn  Qf 

t*W  ■Oar*  AV*  ffwfajfi  tpo&M*  «|*  death.to  be  without  mercy  or  delay 
^^^^H^Q^f^c^j/sf^i/^el^^fit-  inflifted  on  whomfbever  fhould 
a«Vm,  t«t6j  &<k&o<  irau  w  ^Mf/i*.  n«£9t-  be  found  to  conceal  any  of  thefe 
%ma,  $  xey « kiM  iSbtsth-  writings :  fo  great  zeale  there  was 

J   *      3      r  3    to  remove  the  very  memory  of  he- 

refies. There  was  no  lefie  diligence  and  feverity  ufed  to 
prohibit  the  meetings  of  hereticks,  it  being  bj Uw  forbid- 
den 


and  the  means  to  fr event  it. 


5i 


den  them  h  to  aflemble  together  publickly  or  privately  j  h  Eufeb.de  vie. 
their  publick  places  were  commanded  to  be  thrown  down  Conft.l^.&tfj. 
by  Con  ft  amine,  i  Hee  that  entertained  them  in  his  houte  1  Theodorec 
privately,if  the  owner  of  the  houfe,forfeited  it  h  if  the  te-  Eccl.hift.  II.t  - 
nant,  without  the  content  of  the  owner,  he  forfeited  10  J-  c*  2* 
in  gold  5  if  not  worth  Co  much,  and  a  free-man,he  loft  his  Cod.  de  fum. 
liberty,  and  was  made  a  flave  j  if  a  fervant,  he  was  beaten  Trin?> 
with  clubs  :  And  all  this  reaches  not  fo  far  as  the  Scri- 
pture commands,and  pra&ices;  where  fiich  places,and  not 
only  fiich,  but  the  dwelling  kotifes  of  fiich  as  (pake  evill  of 
the  God  of  Ifrael,were  pulkd  down, zn&mvployed.  to  an  un- 
clean ute.I  could  tel  you  upon  what  grounds  the  k  Fathers  k  Naz.Or.4rf. 
p  relied  thefelaws,but  I  reterve  them  for  another  occafion. 

But  our  pleaders  for  toleration  againft  the  Magiftrates 
power,obje&,fbme  of  them,  that  fuch  teverity  will  be  a  let 
and  hindrance  to  the  Churches  growth.  Ought  not  the 
Church  to  grow  >  It  ought  to  grow,but  not  into  a  mon- 
ller.  We  would  have  our  children  grow,  we  would  not 
have  them  have  new  members  :  \  We  would  nave  faith  J  Siquidtm  ad 
grow,but  we  would  not  have  a  new  faith.  m  It  is  one  pro-  Profeftm  perti* 
perty  of  true  faith,  to  beleeve,  that  nothing  elfe  is  to  be  ?*£    tn  f*mtm 
beleeved.  Others,that  thete  courfes  will  not  fupprefle  he-  mam^ficet^ 
refies,but  rather  fpread  them.Indeed,truth  wil  not  be  fup-  &c.  Vincent! 
prefled  by  oppofition,but  errours  will.  By  the  laws  of  the  Lirinenf.cont. 
Emperours  put  in  execution,many  of  the  ancient  herefies  ^rei.c.28. 
were  deftroyed,  if  ye  will  beleeve  p  Nicepborus  and  other  fcj™^  gC  prae- 
Hifrorians.  Moft  of  them  plead  the  fevere  judgements  of  /"{^j C^  *V0UQm 
God  againft  the  perfecuters  of  the  faints.  Who  denies  it  >  <wok- 
but  are  hereticks  faints  >  Whether  God  be  pleafed  or  dif-  ^ 
pleated  with  toleration  of  errours,  if  it  may  be  concluded  w^'sppVww, 
from  the  ads  of  his  providence  towards  thofe  that  have  Sozo^ubifJ- 
tolerated,  or  not  tolerated  divers  religions,  I  mail  defire  pra#  m,u  1  u~ 
them  to  compare  his  dealings  with  Conftantine  the  Great, 
and  Theodoftus  the  Great,  who,of  all  the  Chriftian  Empe- 
rors, were  the  moft  2ealous  in  fupprefling  Sectaries,  and 
the  moft  prosperous  both  in  peace  and  war  s  and  his  deal- 
ings with  Julian^  Valetts,  OYdxeValenrtnians,  that  were  *H 

H  2  moft 


5* 


The  mi  [chief e  which  Hereftes  doe, 


moft  indulgent  to  Se&aries :  and  then  let  them  tell  mee 
with  whom  God  is  beft  plea.ed.  All  cry  out,Perfecution, 
perfecution.  But  that  fuffering  which  is  not  for  right  eouf- 
neffe  fake,  is  not  perfecution  :  If  yon  fuff'er  for  your  faults, 

 what  thanks  have  you,  thongh  joh  bear  it  patiently  ?  But 

would  thefe  men  be  thought  to  deny  all  power  to  the  Ma- 
giftrate  in  fuppreffing  herefies "?  By  no  means :  the  Magi- 
ftrate(fay  they)may  deny  fuch  as  are  erroneous,  places  of 
truft,places  of  honour,places  of  profit-,he  may  difcounte- 
nance  them,&c.My  Lord,this(it  is  confeffed  on  all  hands) 
you  may  do,  you  need  not  fear  ye  lin  in  doing  this :  Let 
this  be  done,  let  Se&aries  be  difcountenanced,  let  here- 
ticks  be  denyed  places  of  truft,  honour,  profit,  and  you 
fhall  have  few  falfe  prophets  3  for  they,  faith  the  Apofble* 
Tit.1.9.        teach  things  which  they  ought  not,  for  filthy  lucre  fake.  I  will 
conclude  in  one  word  :  It  hath  pleated  God  to  ftirre  up 
your  hearts(I  (peak  of  the  honourable  court  of  Gommon- 
Councell)  to  be  a&ive  for  the  fettlement  of  Government, 
and  fuppreffion  of  fefts :  For  what  you  have  done,I  blefle 
God,  and  befeech  you  not  to  be  weary  of  well-doing,  but 
proceed  in  the  work  undertaken.  I  might  urgeyou  by  the 
bond  of  the  Covenant,  which  we  have  all  taken,and  you 
have  lately  renewed  :  I  might  tell  you,  It  will  never  be  a- 
ny  grief  of  heart,to  have  owned  the  caufe  of  God  in  evill 
times, and  to  have  kept  your  hands  clean  from  the  bloud 
of  fbules  :  I  only  fay,It  was  the  glory  of  Confl  amine  xhzx. 
he  had  freed  the  Empire  from  tyranny,  the  Church  from  hcrc- 
fie.  O  that  the  fame  might  be  this  Cities  glory.  You  are 
famous  over  Chriftcndome,  and  fhall  be  to  all  ages,  that 
you  have  not  (pared  estates  or  lives  to  deliver  the  King- 
dome  from  oppreffion :  prefle  hard  on,that  you  may  have  in- 
tereft  in  thisglery,  to  have  delivered  the  Church  from  con-  >& 
fufton.  Which  that  you  may  doe,let  us  pray,8cc. 


Finis. 


SWEASURE 
ROOM